FAT Research
Briefings, verification notes, and original research from Farm Animal Transparency. These summaries help consumers, producers, and policymakers understand meat labeling, origin claims, and self-certification practices.
How Beef,Pork, And Chicken Labeling Are Different–There’s Not Much Difference But It Is Set Out In The Chart Below
Understanding How Beef Pork and Chicken Labeling are Different–There’s Not Much Difference But It Is Set Out In The Chart Below Category USDA Required Verified / Certified Unverified Marketing Examples • Product name • Net weight • Ingredient list (if more than one item) • USDA seal + plant number • Safe handling box • “Keep Refrigerated/Frozen” line • Packer/distributor name & address • USDA Organic seal • Prime / Choice / Select grades • Certified Angus Beef • Animal welfare programs (GAP, Certified Humane) • Non-GMO or similar seals • “Natural” • “Farm Fresh” • “Locally Raised” • “Sustainably Raised” • “Humanely Raised” (without certification) • “No Hormones” on chicken/pork* Who checks? Always enforced by USDA inspectors Verified by USDA graders or outside certifiers
Is Grass-Fed Beef Better For You ?
Is Grass-Fed Beef Nutrient-Rich? Many people wonder if grass-fed beef is better for you. This article explores that question in detail to see if is grass-fed beef better for you. Grass-Fed vs. Grain-Fed Beef: Nutrient Density and Key Differences What Does “Nutrient-Rich” Mean? In nutrition, a “nutrient-rich” or “nutrient-dense” food is one that delivers a high amount of essential nutrients relative to its calorie content. In other words, nutrient-dense foods provide more protein, vitamins, and minerals per calorie. For example, lean meats are considered nutrient-dense because they pack protein, B vitamins, iron, and other minerals without excessive calories. Beef – whether grass-fed or grain-fed – is an inherently nutrient-rich food. A serving of beef provides high-quality protein along with many essential micronutrients like iron, zinc,
Lean Beef Imports for Hamburger Sold in America
Lean Beef Imports for Hamburger Sold in America 1. Packers & Foreign Lean: Structured Table Important disclaimer for FAT / Honest Cattle use:The percentages below are reasoned ranges, not disclosed figures. They’re based on public data about U.S. lean-beef imports, packer scale, geography, and industry analyses, but packers do not publish exact foreign-lean percentages. A. High-level table Processor / Segment Likely Reliance on Foreign Lean in Commodity Grind Where Foreign Lean Enters Where Domestic-Only Grind Is Most Likely Tyson Foods High–Very High (70–95% of total grind lines) Import of 90s from Australia/NZ/Brazil; blending at large plants Premium retailer programs that specify U.S.-only origin; specialty SKUs (“Born, raised, harvested in USA”) Cargill Very High (70–95%) One of the largest importers of lean trim; coastal and inland
Marketing Cattle Emissions
The nerds have a hack to help us with marketing cow emissions. Instead of the cows eating plants and then people eating the beef, they tell us we should cut out the “cow middle,” and just eat the plants. And lucky us, these plant patties are bio-engineered to be “sorta” like hamburgers so we can chew and swallow them.
Nutrient Profile of Grass-Fed Beef vs. Grain-Fed Beef: Omega-3, CLA, Vitamin E, and More
Evidence from Scientific Studies Nutrient Profile of Grass-Fed Beef vs. Grain-Fed Beef: Omega-3, CLA, Vitamin E, and More Introduction Consumers and researchers have long noted that grass-fed beef often differs nutritionally from conventional grain-finished beef. Studies spanning several decades show that cattle raised on grass or forage-based diets produce meat with a more favorable fatty acid profile and higher antioxidant content. In particular, grass-fed beef tends to be richer in health-promoting omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially α-linolenic acid and its longer-chain derivatives), higher in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and contains more antioxidant vitamins like vitamin E (α-tocopherol) and beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A). Grass-fed cuts also generally have lower total fat and lower proportions of cholesterol-raising saturated fats (such as palmitic and myristic acids)
Policy & Market Pressures on Transparent Domestic Beef
Policy & Market Pressures on Transparent Domestic Beef Introduction American beef producers face converging regulatory and market forces that demand greater transparency in cattle origin and production. Recent policy shifts – from the USDA’s tightening of “Product of USA” label rules to executive actions promoting supply-chain scrutiny – are reshaping how domestic beef is marketed. At the same time, voluntary verified origin programs offer branding opportunities but often carry significant costs. This paper explores how these overlapping pressures create both challenges and potential brand value for U.S. cattle producers (including those pursuing independent transparency certifications such as FAT certification). The analysis emphasizes Montana-specific contexts while recognizing broader national implications. We examine how new labeling regulations, federal initiatives, and verification program costs interact, the constraints producers