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The Truth Behind Beef Labels: What Every Shopper Should Know

Have you ever looked at all those labels on beef products and wondered what they actually meant? From grass fed, grass finished, and pasture raised to antibiotics, hormones, and importation, there are many terms you should know before buying another package of beef.


Grass fed beef is often regarded as higher quality beef. However, many products that are marketed as “grass fed” are not 100% grass fed. When it comes to grass fed, it is important to check for the percentage because “grass fed” is not held to a universal standard. Beef can be labeled as grass fed when only a portion of the cow’s diet was beef. 100% grass fed means that the cow was fed “only grasses and forages (like hay) for the length of its life, starting when it was weaned off its mother’s milk.” When the grass fed percentage is below 100, the cows were fed grain for a period of their lives. “Studies have shown that even a small amount of grain in the animal’s diet affects the nutritional profile of the meat.”


Grass finished is another label that you may see. Grass finished indicates that the cow was fed grasses and forages after the growing phase and up until slaughter. The important thing to note here is that this means the cow may have been fed grain during the growing phase. Grass fed and finished beef is fed grasses and forages throughout its entire life. Similarly, grain finished means that the cow was fed grain after the growing phase and up until slaughter.


“80% of all beef in the U.S. is finished on a grain-based diet. Most cattle are put on pasture or fed forage for four to six months after weaning and then finished on a grain-based diet for the last five months of life to increase weight and beef yield.”


It is important to remember that these feeding designations only apply to what the cow was fed. Grass fed cows can still be raised in feedlots and never see a living blade of grass, because they are fed hay and other dried grasses. Look for the AGA approval or AGW certification to ensure that the beef is higher quality than just grass fed. AGA approved beef is “fed a diet of 100 percent forage, raised on a pasture, and never treated with hormones or antibiotics.” AGW certified beef is “100 percent grass fed for life and managed according to high welfare standards, outdoors on pasture or range, with annual farm audits.”


Organic beef is another label that carries a very specific meaning. 


“The USDA organic seal is the gold standard. To earn it, farmers must adhere to a strict set of federal standards and regulations. These require cows to be raised on certified-organic pasture, fed 100% organic feed, and never treated with unapproved antibiotics or added growth hormones. The farming system must be free from synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and the cows must have access to outdoor living conditions that support their natural behaviors.”


It is important to note that organic beef can be fed either grain or grass, or both. Therefore, organic grass fed beef is the best option. 


While having the organic seal ensures that beef is pastured, there is another label of “pastured” or “pasture raised.” This label means that the cattle have had access to the outdoors for at least 120 days per year. “Outdoors” is a vague term and can be anything from an open pasture to an overcrowded pen. 


“Humane” is an unregulated label term that does not have an established standard. This label is open to interpretation. “Without third-party verification to high-welfare standards or visiting the farm in person (and having the agricultural expertise to evaluate it), you’re probably still buying industrially raised products.”  If you are looking for humanely raised beef, look for an animal welfare approved product.


Antibiotic use is a common concern for many consumers. However, the difference between “antibiotic free” and “raised without antibiotics” is an important distinction. “Antibiotic free” means that there are no antibiotic residues in the meat, which is required by federal law in all poultry, meat, and dairy. This does not mean the cow was never given antibiotics, it just means that there are no longer any antibiotics present in the meat because any previous antibiotics have left the system. “Raised without antibiotics” or “no antibiotics ever” means that the animal was never given antibiotics in any form during its lifetime. Remember that “organic” labeled meat is also raised without antibiotics.


“No added hormones” and “raised without hormones” can also be deceptive. All animals naturally produce hormones, so there is no such thing as “hormone free” meat. However, some farms use supplemental hormones. “[B]eef that comes from cows that were exposed to supplementary steroid hormones before birth (i.e., through their mother during pregnancy) can still be labeled as “no added hormones” or “raised without hormones” as long as they were not given any additional hormones after birth.” The surefire way to avoid beef that has been exposed to hormones, either in the womb or after birth, is to purchase organic products.


Another common set of labels is “natural” and “all natural.” These labels only apply to how the meat was processed after the animal was slaughtered and do not include farming practices., To receive either of these labels, the butchered meat must be minimally processed and contain no artificial ingredients of any type. However, since this label does not address how the cow was treated during its life, “natural” beef may be sourced from grain fed cows who were given antibiotics and hormones.


You may also encounter “naturally raised” labels, but this category is no longer regulated by the USDA. Prior to 2016, this label meant that “the meat had been minimally processed and didn’t have any artificial ingredients, and also that the animal didn’t receive growth hormones or antibiotics.” Now this label is not held to a universal standard.


“Product of USA” and “Made in the USA” can be found on many products, but this does not mean that the animal was domestically raised. Currently, this label can be placed on any beef or pork product that was processed in the US. However, qualifying as “processed” can be as simple as packaging meat that was imported from another country. Beginning on January 1, 2026, “these labels can only be used if the animals are born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the United States.” This change in policy will help bring clarity to consumers in a world of conflicting information. 


Finding store bought meat that meets the highest standards can be very difficult, especially if you live in a rural area. The only way to ensure you are eating the healthiest meat is to purchase locally raised 100% grass fed and finished organic beef from a farmer you can trust. Choosing a supplier who you trust to take regenerative, humane, and organic farming seriously is always the best choice for your health and the earth’s.


Contact Renewed Hope Nutrition to schedule a consultation and receive individualized nutritional support tailored to your body’s needs.



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