Labeling Deception

Nutrition labels and various certification seals are supposed to give consumers more information about exactly what they are buying. But the average consumer doesn't have much chance against the lawyers and marketing departments of the companies that produce our food. They are experts at misleading you while carefully avoiding breaking any laws or regulations.

Some examples from the labeling of the meat we buy....


"No Hormones"

This is a good thing but not particularly impressive when found on chicken turkey or pork. It is illegal for growers to treat these animals with hormones. The claim only has meaning on beef.

"All Natural"

Sounds good. But all it means is that no artificial ingredients or color was added to the meat. It tells you nothing about how the animal was raised or whether it was treated with hormones or antibiotics.

"Grass Fed"

A verified seal like "American Grassfed" or "Certified Grass Fed by AGW" means the animals were never fed on grain and and spent their lives on pasture. But most grass fed claims are unverified and offer no guarantee that they are true.

"Sustainably Raised"

This claim has no official or regulatory definition. Anyone can slap it on their meat. Ignore it.

"No Antibiotics"

The FDA has banned the use of "No Growth Promoting Antibiotics" but you will still see the term in use. "Raised Without Antibiotics" and  "No Antibiotics Ever" may or may not be true. The "USDA Process Verified" seal means the claims have been independently verified. "USDA Organic" means that the animals were given no antibiotics, no hormones and only organic feed.


Finally, most meat has no nutrition labeling at all. The USDA does not require it. Instead they permit posting nutrition information on a poster displayed near the meat counter. Can't find the poster? The cut of meat you are buying isn't on it? Too bad for you.

Companies deliberately confusing people about the meat they buy probably isn't a big deal though. Its not as if they were eating it or anything.