What Do Beef Labels Mean?

By Health & Medical Last updated Thursday, September/05/2024

11. Humanely Raised Beef

Different groups have developed standards for the humane treatment of animals. HFAC/Certified Humane and Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) have the strictest standards and are the most transparent. USDA/Organic, American Humane Certified and Global Animal Partnership are other organizations issuing “humane” treatment labels.

12. Naturally Raised Beef

The USDA is developing standards for "naturally raised." They are likely to include prohibitions against using hormones, antibiotics, and animal by-products.

13. No Antibiotics/No Hormones

Producers must submit documentation to the USDA that the cattle were not administered any antibiotics or hormones use these labels. Note that there isn't any third-party verification or testing for these labels.