A Guide To Protein Cuts & Terms
Protein Cuts
Labeling Terms
Free Range
There’s no precise federal government definition of free range.
Chicken labeled as organic must also be free-range, but not all free-range chicken is organic.
Farm Raised
Organic
You can read the full list of regulations and steps for organic certification here.
Natural
- no artificial ingredients
- no coloring ingredients
- no chemical preservatives
- is minimally processed
It’s important to note that natural does not necessarily mean hormone-free or antibiotic-free.
No Hormones Added
The claim no hormones added cannot be used on the labels of pork or poultry unless it is followed by a statement that says “Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones.”
Raised Without Antibiotics or Antibiotic Free
Animal health products not classified as antibiotics (such as some coccidiostats, which control protozoal parasites) may still be used.
Antibiotic free is not allowed to be used on a label but may be found in marketing materials not regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Mechanically Separated Poultry
Mechanically separated poultry has been used in poultry products since 1969.
In 1995, a final rule on mechanically separated poultry said it would be used without restrictions. However, it must be labeled as “mechanically separated chicken or mechanically separated turkey”.
Kosher
You can read more about Kosher Certification by clicking here.
Halal
In Arabic, the word “halal” means permissible.
Halal meat is meat that has been slaughtered according to Islamic law, as laid out in the Qu’ran.
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