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Which Types of Meat Do You Use To Prepare Your Favourite Meat Recipe?
Due to the alleged problems with conventional meat, people are now moving towards organic meat. Consumers are also demanding natural meat and grass fed meat as they are normally considered healthy and rich in nutrients.
The issue with natural meat and grass fed meat is that there are no standards for these products set by the USDA. Hence, while producing these types of meat, the manufacturers have a free hand, though they have to indicate the important aspects of the production methods on the labels.
Characteristics of Different Types of Meat
Given below is a comparison of conventional meat, organic meat, natural meat and grass fed meat on different parameters.
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Conventional Meat
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Organic Meat
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Natural Meat
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Grass Fed Meat
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USDA Definitions
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No special definition
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Produced according to USDA National Organic Standards
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No artificial ingredients, minimal processing
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None
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Usage of Hormones
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Yes
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No
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Vary
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Vary
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Antibiotics
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Yes
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No
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Vary
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Vary
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Feed Grown with Chemical Pesticides and Fertilizers
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Yes
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No
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Vary
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Vary
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Necessary to Allow the Cattle to Graze on Pastures?
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No
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Yes
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No Standards (Normally farmers allow cattle to graze)
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No Standards (Normally farmers allow cattle to graze)
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Animal Confinement
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Yes
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No (Outdoor access not necessary, if weather is not favorable)
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No Standards (Normally farmers provide outdoor access)
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No Standards (Normally farmers provide outdoor access)
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Animal by-products Feed
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Yes
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No
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No Standards (Normally animal by-products are not fed)
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Vary
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Presence of GMOs in Feed
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Yes
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No
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No
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Vary
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Safety Inspection by USDA
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Meat Irradiation Carried Out
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Vary
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No
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No
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Vary
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Usage of Preservatives
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Vary
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No
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No
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Vary
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References: Organic Prairie
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