Labels: Eggs and Meat

If you choose to eat them, meats and eggs can be a costly part of your budget, especially if you want to go more natural or organic. I've been confused by all the different information out there about meats and eggs and all the labels (all natural, antiobiotic-free, etc.).

The ideal, for me, is straight from the farm....lol, and for a lot of people I know that's not an option. But I happen to live in an area and have family in areas that do have access to farms. I currently get our beef from a small farm that raises just a few cows and is not going to be using any growth hormones on the beef. This summer I hope to get access to farm fresh chicken and eggs. Even if you don't live in an area that you would think would have access to natural meats and eggs, you might consider looking into it. Here’s a link to get you started http://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?id=Home Farmer's Markets are also a great place to get information about who might sell natural meats and eggs.

Now, just because something is grown on a farm and say, you've met the chickens :) doesn't always mean that something is "organic". How those farmers choose to raise the chickens and cows can make a big difference: what they are fed, what shots they are given, etc.

Here's what I've learned about what is important when it comes to going natural with meats and eggs. I'm no expert, so all my information is correct to the best of my knowledge and I hope it helps you with your food choices.

“Here’s what the government allows in feed or to be used in production of the following (conventionally grown) animals:
Dairy cows—antibiotics, pig and chicken byproducts, hormones (for growth), pesticides, sewage sludge
Beef cows—antibiotics, pig and chicken byproducts, steroids, hormones, pesticides, sewage sludge
Pigs—antibiotics, animal byproducts, hormones, pesticides, sewage sludge, arsenic-based drugs Broiler chickens--antibiotics, animal byproducts, pesticides, sewage sludge, arsenic-based drugs. Growth hormones are prohibited.
Egg laying hens--antibiotics, animal byproducts, pesticides, sewage sludge, arsenic-based drugs” Source: http://www.greenerchoices.org/products.cfm?product=meat&pcat=food

So those items are what is allowed in conventionally produced meat and eggs. Those types of things are what made me start to look for natural and organic alternatives!!

“So what can you count on when you buy organic? No animals, except dairy cows prior to being moved to organic farms, can be given antibiotics, growth hormones, or feed made from animal byproducts, which can transmit mad cow disease. No genetic modification or irradiation is permitted, nor is fertilizer made with sewage sludge or synthetic ingredients, all of which are allowed in most conventional food production.” Source: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/food/diet-nutrition/organic-products/organic-products-206/overview/index.htm

Here's what I think is interesting when it comes to meat and eggs and their labels:

Cows, Beef, and Pigs—In her book, What To Eat, Marion Nestle says "beef producers use hormones to promote more rapid growth in cattle and sheep" and while it hasn't been definitely been proven as a safety concern, the European Union has banned the use of beef treated with hormones. (I tend to think that the European Union is stricter on what they will allow in their food and cosmetics and I think it's a good thing!)
-"Grass-fed, organically raised cattle are leaner and healthier overall...and their meat can have about five times the amount of brain-building omega-3 fatty acids as regular beef. Though the cost of organic meat can be double that of regular...treating it like a side dish and eating smaller servings to keep the meal cost the same. If you'd rather spend your money elsewhere, simply buy lean cuts of beef and stick to four servings or less a week." Source: http://www.ewg.org/node/26097

Chickens-- "No added hormones" labels are not important for chicken, they never have hormones added.
-“Human antibiotics are fed to chickens to speed growth. But bacteria in the birds’ intestines can develop resistance to them. People who eat chicken harboring those bacteria can fall ill if they don’t handle and cook meat properly, and they may not be cured by the drugs typically used to get rid of their illness”. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/food/food-safety/animal-feed-and-food/animal-feed-and-the-food-supply-105/chicken-arsenic-and-antibiotics/index.htm?resultPageIndex=1&resultIndex=1&searchTerm=arsenic%20and%20antibiotics

Egg laying hens--"All-natural" doesn't really seem to mean much and does not seem to be regulated strictly on how it can be used.
-"Egg-laying hens aren't given growth hormones (like chickens raised for food)...nor are the eggs likely to be exposed to antibiotics. The birds stop laying if they are sick." Source: http://www.ewg.org/node/26097%22%3ehttp:/www.ewg.org/node/26097
(So when you see that certain brand of chicken in the grocery store that is labeled "All-Natural", "Antiobiotic-Free", and "Hormone-Free" you can choose to either buy the conventional chicken that is half that cost or go for organic chicken, which is definately more expense, but I have decided to go organic and simply eat chicken and other meat a little less. I've also decided to buy organic eggs and use them more sparingly-there is actually a lot of calories and cholesterol in eggs and I think I would be okay with a few less.)

Eggs-The term free-range as stated by the FDA, is that hens have access to the outdoors, even if they don’t actually go outside. Cage-free means they are not stacked in cages but allowed to roam in the barn, which can be important thing if you are interested in how the animals were treated. Check out this link for these and other labels for eggs: http://www.greenerchoices.org/products.cfm?product=aneggs&pcat=food

So I personally have decided to make the switch to natural meat and organic eggs and chicken. I feel that it is the best option for me and my family. But how will I fit it in our budget? Well, that answer is coming in my next post. Hope this information was helpful and I'll update it as I learn more.

Other interesting articles:
1. “You Are What They Eat”
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/food/food-safety/animal-feed-and-food/animal-feed-and-the-food-supply-105/overview/index.htm

2. “Label Report Card for Meat” (Which labels really mean something!)
http://www.greenerchoices.org/eco-labels/reportProductArea.cfm?productArea=Meat&mode=view