Meat Labeling Standards

The world of food labels can be confusing. The more information that is put on labels, the more complicated it gets to figure it all out. Meat labeling is supposed to give shoppers some guidance by way of the various codes and logos. Learn about meat labeling if you want to be sure about choosing brands that have high standards regarding hygiene and traceability and avoidance of animal charity.

Consumers should beware of labels that say things like 'Farm Fresh' or 'Natural'. There are no specifications about what these terms mean and they don't give any information about how animals may have been treated or that animal cruelty free methods were used..

There are some labels that you might want to keep an eye out for. When choosing poultry, look for the free-range label. The European Union has regulations about the specific definition of free-range. It means the animals spend time outdoors over part of their lives. Tesco Willow Farm and Freedom Food poultry is not free-range, but they are brands known for high standards of animal handling.

Look for foods with the organicmeat labelling . There are nine different organizations that certify foods as organic. This label indicates the food was produced on a farm that does not use chemical pesticides or fertilizers and that animals have been handled in a humane manner.

When you see the Soil Association Organic Standard label you know that the food comes from farms with high standards of animal welfare and handling. The Soil Association certifies milk, butter, and other dairy products.

When choosing bacon, ham, and pork you want to be sure that the animals were either raised outdoors, or were reared inside in a humane manner. Select beef where the meat labeling indicates it is grass-fed. The European Union is currently considering regulations that would require labeling of meat where the animal has been stunned prior to slaughter. The final vote on this will be in July of 2011.

Some food merchants have standards of their own that may be higher than those of outside organizational schemes. MS and Waitrose, and Whole Foods all maintain high levels in terms of treatment of chickens and other animals.

The Red Tractor logo is the symbol of the Assured Food Standards, an organization made up of The Food and Drink Federation, the National Farmers' Union (England and Wales), the Ulster Farmers' Union, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, Dairy UK and the British Retail consortium. The Red Tractor logo on a package is a sign that certain basic standards of the Assured Food Standards food assurance scheme have been met.

Assurance schemes that truly reflect a concern for stopping animal cruelty will cover such things as space and bedding requirements for farm animals whether they are reared indoors or out.


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Orignal From: Meat Labeling Standards