Currently, the “organic” claim is the most stringently regulated. Looser definitions of other claims such as “natural” often lead to confusion and inconsistency. Proposed rules expected to be finalized this spring would set standard definitions for label claims including “no hormones,” “no antibiotics,” “free-range” or “pasture-raised,” and “grass-fed.”
Confusing meat label claims
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Agricultural Marketing Service are working on labeling rules to clear up some of the confusion about label claims on meat products.
Feb 29th, 2004