Is this a new packaging regulation?

fabkc

While shopping at a major chain grocery yesterday, I noticed all their beef was marked as Grain-Fed. Are they now required to do so? Can anyone imagine any reason they might do this?

I am trying really hard not to assume that they are attempting to trick people into thinking this is a good thing.

chigirlinaz

I don't know if this is a new regulation or not, but I noticed that at Fresh N Easy, their beef is labeled as "corn-fed".  I thought that was odd.

Joenali

Well,wouldn't you want to know if your beef came from corn-fed or grass-fed cows? Isn't it better that they are labeling it instead of not? I don't think it's a ploy to make people think it's okay for you and those cows, it's just that they are slapping labels on their product. Now you won't buy it.

leighzlou

Grain fed beef is desired by a large portion of the population because it has better marbling and tastes like a traditional steakhouse steak. They are probably labeling it so that people who want that in their beef know what they are buying. My dad, who is a meat scientist, would never buy grassfed beef because he much prefers the flavor of grain fed beef. He also does not care about the ethics or "green-ness" in the grass vs. grain debate.

*speedracer*

i wouldn't think most grocery stores even have grass fed beef available.  maybe it depends on your area, but i've never seen grass fed beef in my "regular" stores.

Jen&Joe06

There are meat scientists? I had no idea.

daisyterp

leighzlou:

Grain fed beef is desired by a large portion of the population because it has better marbling and tastes like a traditional steakhouse steak. They are probably labeling it so that people who want that in their beef know what they are buying. My dad, who is a meat scientist, would never buy grassfed beef because he much prefers the flavor of grain fed beef. He also does not care about the ethics or "green-ness" in the grass vs. grain debate.

ditto this- most people prefer the taste of grain-fed/corn fed beef.  I have a neighbor who's family has a cattle ranch in South America and the cattle spend most of their lives eating grass, they get corn/grain the last month or so to fatten up before slaughter because it improves the taste, etc.  

leighzlou

Jen&Joe06:

There are meat scientists? I had no idea.

You would be amazed at the specialties available within food science. Poultry science, dairy science, bakery science... One of my good friends is getting her doctorate in grain science with an emphasis in gluten free grains.

Jen&Joe06

leighzlou:

Jen&Joe06:

There are meat scientists? I had no idea.

You would be amazed at the specialties available within food science. Poultry science, dairy science, bakery science... One of my good friends is getting her doctorate in grain science with an emphasis in gluten free grains.

Yah after I posted I had a drrr drr drrr moment because I knew about dairy and bakery scientist so having meat scientists makes sense. 

SuperGreen

I haven't heard of this as a new regulation, maybe it's something that paticular store is doing?  I agree about most Americans being used to the marbeling and flavor of grain-fed beef.  I think grass fed tastes much better, more real.

fabkc

daisyterp:

leighzlou:

Grain fed beef is desired by a large portion of the population because it has better marbling and tastes like a traditional steakhouse steak. They are probably labeling it so that people who want that in their beef know what they are buying. My dad, who is a meat scientist, would never buy grassfed beef because he much prefers the flavor of grain fed beef. He also does not care about the ethics or "green-ness" in the grass vs. grain debate.

ditto this- most people prefer the taste of grain-fed/corn fed beef.  I have a neighbor who's family has a cattle ranch in South America and the cattle spend most of their lives eating grass, they get corn/grain the last month or so to fatten up before slaughter because it improves the taste, etc.  

Hmm... I didn't know this, but I guess it makes sense.

When I first saw it, I thought the equivalent would be labels reading "A Great Source of HFCS" or "Now with 25% more nitrates!", but I can see some people preferring grain fed now.