How FAT Evaluates Meat Labels
Farm Animal Transparency (FAT) evaluates meat labels based on two questions: what information is disclosed, and how credible is the claim behind it.
FAT does not score food safety, nutrition, ethics, or product quality. FAT evaluates label transparency only.
The FAT Evaluation Model
Every label is evaluated across 14 transparency categories. For each category, FAT asks two things:
1. Disclosure Status — “Did the label tell us this?”
For each of the 14 categories, FAT determines whether the information is present on the label:
The label clearly discloses this information. Example: “100% Grass-Fed, American Grassfed Association Certified.”
Some information is present, but details are limited or non-specific. Example: “Grass-Fed” with no certification or program named.
The label does not address this category at all. A lack of disclosure is treated as a lack of information, not misconduct.
2. Claim Credibility — “How reliable is what they told us?”
When a category is disclosed (Known or Partial), FAT evaluates how strongly the claim is backed by evidence. This is the credibility tier:
Independently verified by a third-party certifier or USDA program. Examples: USDA Organic, Certified Humane, Animal Welfare Approved, GAP-rated, USDA AMS Process Verified Program (PVP), USDA grading shields.
Approved by USDA/FSIS; backed by producer records on file. FSIS reviewed and approved the label language, but no independent audit. Examples: “No Antibiotics Ever,” “No Hormones Administered” (beef), “Grass Fed” with FSIS approval.
Claim appears on the label but has no known independent or government-backed verification. May still be accurate, but no external confirmation exists. Examples: “Family Farm,” “Humanely Raised” (no cert logo), “Farm Fresh,” “Natural.”
When a category is Missing, there is nothing to rate for credibility — the label simply did not address it.
The 14 Categories FAT Evaluates
Every label is evaluated across these 14 transparency categories. FAT uses all 14 — no cherry-picking, no hiding gaps.
| # | Category | What FAT Looks For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | USDA / FSIS Required Language | Net weight, inspection legend, safe handling instructions, establishment number |
| 2 | Species | Clear animal type identification (beef, pork, chicken, turkey, lamb, bison) |
| 3 | Breed | Specific breed disclosed (Angus, Berkshire, Heritage, etc.) |
| 4 | Country / Origin | Born, raised, and processed country; COOL compliance |
| 5 | Farm / Ranch | Named farm or ranch where the animal was raised |
| 6 | Processor | USDA establishment number, facility name, location, FSIS enforcement record |
| 7 | Feed | Feed program (grass-fed, grain-finished, organic feed) and verification level |
| 8 | Animal Welfare | Welfare certifications, outdoor access, living conditions, humane handling |
| 9 | Quality / Palatability | USDA grade (Prime, Choice, Select), aging method, marbling claims |
| 10 | Dietary Attributes | Keto, paleo, Whole30, allergen info, fat content claims |
| 11 | Medicine / Antibiotics / Hormones | Antibiotic and hormone claims, verification level, absence vs. disclosure |
| 12 | Age at Slaughter | Age disclosed or certified at harvest |
| 13 | FSIS Enforcement Protocols | Recalls, administrative actions, humane handling violations, quarterly enforcement, chemical residue, pathogen testing |
| 14 | Environmental Impact | Carbon, water, land use (website only — not yet in the FAT App) |
FSIS Enforcement Protocols
When a USDA establishment number is detected on the label, the FAT App retrieves real-time enforcement data from public FSIS datasets. This covers six enforcement areas:
- Recalls — Active and historical FSIS recall actions
- Administrative Actions — Warnings, NOIEs, compliance issues
- Humane Handling Violations — Livestock inspection task outcomes
- Quarterly Enforcement Actions — NOIEs, suspensions, regulatory actions
- Chemical Residue Violations — Residue violation history
- Salmonella Performance & Beef Pathogen Testing — Pathogen testing results
No other consumer app connects this enforcement data to the label in your hand.
What the FAT Evaluation Tells You
The FAT evaluation shows you how much information a label discloses across all 14 categories, and how credible each claim is. It does not assign a single number or letter grade.
Instead, FAT gives you the tools to compare two products on the same terms — category by category, claim by claim, credibility tier by credibility tier. You decide what matters most.
A label with more “Known” categories and “Verified” credibility tells you more and backs it up. A label full of “Missing” categories or “Label Claim Only” credibility leaves you guessing. FAT makes that difference visible.
See FAT in Action
Download the FAT App and scan any meat label to see the full evaluation — disclosure status, credibility tiers, and FSIS enforcement data — all in one place.