US labeling terms - "All Natural"

I am still so confused about some of the labeling of meat here in the US. Basically, I want to buy meat that was raised without hormones and antibiotics. Does "All Natural" fit the bill? Or is it only organic that is raised this way?

Apparently the USDA regulations for "all natural" for meat merely require that there are no artificial colors, preservatives, or artificial additives. They provide no regulation over how the animal was raised.

So buying "all natural" probably means the meat hasn't been injected with saline (although maybe not--is salt considered "artificial" according to USDA guidelines?), but it says nothing about hormone treatment.

-Paul W.

[Jenise]

I am still so confused about some of the labeling of meat here in the US. Basically, I want to buy meat that was raised without hormones and antibiotics. Does "All Natural" fit the bill? Or is it only organic that is raised this way?

What Paul said. For what you want, you have to buy Organic.

There is definitely beef available that is grown without antibiotics and hormones that is not organic. To be classified as organic,
a calf must have been born to a cow that was eating only approved feed during gestation, be raised on certified organic pasture, eat only certified organic feed, be allowed to graze freely, etc. There are a variety of brands (Coleman Natural, "Naked Beef", etc) that are raised without antibiotics or hormones, but doesn't qualify for organic.

Maria, here's the USDA's "organic" page. Maybe it will clear some of it up.

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fet ... e&acct=nop

"Natural" in terms of what you are buying is virtually meaningless.