Tonight we were in Publix and noticed that they now offer fresh cuts of "Green Wise" meats of chicken, pork, and beef. [Of course, this may well have been the case for a long, long time now, but I must admit, as a quasi-vegetarian, I never even glance at the fresh raw meat section of a grocery store.] My husband, poor guy, his eyes lit up; he could just about taste the meat being prepared in our house, I'm sure. But not so fast.
Publix's website says, "Our Meat department offers a wide array of fresh all-natural meats and poultry with no additives or preservatives. That includes many varieties of Publix GreenWise Market brand beef, pork, and chicken, which are raised humanely with no antibiotics or added hormones—ever—on a 100% vegetarian diet." What it doesn't say is "organic" or "biodynamic."
Why is this important? Because many companies attach meaningless, uncertified claims to their products. Mostly, doubt everything you read on a package unless you see a certification you recognize and trust.
What are some of the term, seals, and certifications you should look for when buying meats? Below are a few suggestions, quoted nearly verbatum from Renee Loux's Easy Green Living:
-Certified Humane Raised and Handled: means the animals were treated humanely in a safe, healthy living environment; verified and enforced by third party inspectors
-Antibiotic Free (ABF) Process Verified: animals were not given antibiotics as a preventive measure, only for real illnesses; USDA certified, through annual on-site inspection and evaluation
-Free Range: animal had outdoor access at least once a day; USDA certified; poultry is the only animal product that can be labeled Free Range -- this label has no meaning on eggs or meat
-No Hormones Administered (beef): USDA certified
-Organic: as clean and good as it gets; certified by the USDA to be grown or raised without chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, hormones, or genetically modified organisms
-Demeter Certified Biodynamic: beyond organic; no synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, growth regulators, or genetically engineered substances may be used, ever; no chlorinated or fluoridated water can be used for irrigation
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Another important label is "Animal Welfare Approved." This certification is endorsed by the WSPA as having the most stringent animal welfare standards, in a comparison with more than fifteen other labels. The auditing and advising program is free to farmers, making it accessible to anyone who practices humane husbandry. For more information about this program and food label, visit www.AnimalWelfareApproved.org
Absolutely, Emily. Thank you for sharing that link.
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