The 3 Most Misleading Labels On Meat!

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February 1, 2019

We all want to buy the best meat for our family...But, with labels on meat products these days being so confusing, how do you know what to buy?

Where did the animal come from?

What did it eat?

How was it raised?

These are all good questions that labels can very rarely answer for us. And, it seems as soon as you find a label you can trust, you soon find out it’s just a bunch of lies!

That’s why we came up with this list of 3 labels that are most likely misleading you and we share where you can find trusted meat!

Organic

Let’s start off with one of the biggest labels out there: Organic.

What is the definition of organic?

Well, USDA standards state that organic operations must demonstrate that they are (1) protecting natural resources, (2) conserving biodiversity, and (3) using only approved substances.Sounds like a great definition and we would hope a good government-run program. But just like most government-run programs, there are some problems.The biggest confusion out there about the organic label is that people assume that organic automatically means the cattle are being raised out on green grass, but this is NOT the case most of the time.

Organic beef must be fed certified organic feed their entire life. This does NOT mean that their feed was grass!

In fact, there is a lot of beef in grocery stores that are certified organic, but spent most of the end of their life in a CAFO (confinement animal feeding operation) eating corn and soy. Organic pork and chicken must (1) be free from antibiotics (sort of, chicks can receive antibiotics in their first day alive) and (2) be fed certified organic feed their entire life.As far as their life goes....they are most commonly in a CAFO their entire life and never see a blade of grass.

But it’s “organic!”

Can you see how this can be misleading?!?

Grass-fed

The hottest label on the market right now for beef is “grass-fed" and I would say this could be the most misleading label for people trying to live a healthier lifestyle.The truth is that not all grass-fed beef is raised equally.The biggest problem at this point is that grass-fed doesn’t have a standard definition. The USDA has legal control over the word organic. So, if you claim your product is organic but you're not certified organic you can get in trouble and fined.This is not the case with grass-fed.

Since there's no standard or oversight it seems big ag is happy to use this buzzword wherever they see fit.

Since there is no standard for grass-fed it really can mean anything. But for those who are using the term lightly, it means that the animal was basically on grass at one point in its life.

Who knows for how long, or what else it was fed later on.

Almost all cattle start their life on grass (except for dairy calves). Typically, calves are born on ranches and when they are weaned from their moms (around 6 months of age) they are kept on grass until they are ready for finishing. At that point, they are typically shipped to a major feedlot and fed as much feed (corn, soy, etc) as they possibly can eat until they are very fat and ready for butcher.

Why does it matter if they are finished in a feedlot? Because the quality of the meat, flavor and overall health of the meat is really determined in the last 90 days of the animal's life.

If that beef is just lounging around eating junk for the last 120 days of his life, that’s what his meat is going to be… junk.

Grass-fed doesn’t really apply to chickens or pork because they are not designed the same as cattle. They actually require a grain source in their diet. The label most people are seeing now is “free range” on chickens.This is also a joke because, once again, there is no real standard. A chicken having “access” to a dirt lot behind the chicken shed is considered free-range.

Green grass is not a requirement in the free-range label. Misleading?? Yep.

Product of USA

One would think you would be safe buying meat that says “Product of USA” on it.

Unfortunately, not even this is a trustworthy label! How So?

During the Obama Administration in 2015, COOL (country of origin labeling) standards were terminated.This allows animals raised in other countries to be butchered in the other country and then brought to America and processed as a “Product of USA”.

Did you catch that?

Animals that are raised and killed outside of the United States and then shipped and cut here are considered Product of the USA.

Give me a break. No wonder people don’t trust labels anymore! This label concerns me the most all for health safety reasons. Here's why...These animals are being raised and butchered outside of the USA.

Every country has different standards for butchering and processing animals. The USDA swears they monitor meat coming into the USA and that it’s completely safe.

There are plenty of other labels out there on meat products, but you can see the point. Most labels have vague definitions or don’t tell the whole truth.

If labels are not trustworthy then where can you go to find meat? You do what more and more consumers across the country are beginning to do:

Build a relationship with a local rancher or farmer to know exactly how your meat is being raised.

Here at Cunningham Pastured Meats we are a local one-stop-shop for all your protein needs. We are real ranchers raising meat from our ranch to your family’s table.We sell pasture-raised meats you can trust.

I hope this has been helpful for you.

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Full 2026: Series on The Big Grass Fire "It Starts with a Spark!"

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Whether helping protect cattle, building fire lines, moving equipment, or supporting firefighting efforts wherever needed, the work reflects something deeply rooted in ranching culture: when one neighbor is hurting, everyone shows up. With but a brief reunion with Sean after his 3 days of fire service. As you can imagine, while Sean is all smiles to finally be home for some much-needed rest, tears were shed by the littles in his reunion with the family! As many of you know, Liz and Sean, while still only in their late 30s, have seven children and one on the way. To date, Liz and Sean have spent days apart, each taking on the role in their own capacity against the fires. Sean on the dozer in the field and Liz capturing the story in a digital war to garner the attention of news agencies like KTVB7, the Lt. Governor's office, the White House, electric company CEOs and others for much needed assistance and support for the communities who are now at the mercy of a rogue grass fire, The Big Grass Fire and simultaneous fires stretching thousands of acres throughout the Jordan Valley and beyond. That spirit of service and capitalizing on each person's strengths to wage the war against the fires is nothing new to ranchers. Across the West, ranchers have long been among the first to respond when wildfire strikes. Their knowledge of the land, equipment, water sources, and terrain often makes them invaluable partners alongside local, state, and federal fire crews. Many volunteer through Rangeland Fire Protection Associations, organizations that have become an essential part of wildfire response throughout Oregon and Idaho. These partnerships help firefighters respond more quickly while protecting communities, grazing lands, wildlife habitat, and homes. For ranching families, these fires aren’t simply headlines—they’re deeply personal. A single fire can erase years of stewardship, destroy fencing, eliminate forage needed to feed cattle, and disrupt generations of hard work. Yet even in the face of tremendous loss, ranchers continue helping one another because that’s simply what neighbors do. We are incredibly grateful to every firefighter, volunteer, dispatcher, law enforcement officer, ranch family, and community member working around the clock to protect lives and property. Their courage and commitment remind us that the strength of rural communities isn’t measured only by the land we steward—it’s measured by the people willing to stand together when it matters most. Please continue keeping the families directly affected by these fires in your thoughts and prayers. Recovery will take time, but our communities have always been built on resilience, compassion, and a willingness to lend a hand. As of Wednesday July 29, 2026 at 8 am the non-official update includes official agencies holding the line with the yellow circles area in the image below a wild card. With potential winds pushing north again, critical barriers may not be enough to hold the fire from encroaching on Silver City. The blue circled area on a post seen here with images is the most difficult to manage, with juniper trees, canyons, and rock formations making it difficult terrain to navigate intervention and support. See more details and images here From all of us at Cunningham Pastured Meats and Cliff’s Country Market, thank you to everyone serving on the front lines and behind the scenes. We are honored to stand alongside a community that continues to embody the very best of what it means to be neighbors helping neighbors. We continue to remain steadfast in prayer in the midst of a very active and devastating fire season.🔥Behind the Fire Line July 28 Yesterday, Sean came home long enough to grab a few hours of sleep. By sunrise, he was headed back to the fire. As the Big Grass Fire continued to spread across the rugged country surrounding Jordan Valley, every hour mattered. While air tankers and helicopters often grab the headlines, much of the work happens on the ground—behind the controls of heavy equipment. This time, Sean's office wasn't a pickup. It was a bulldozer. 🔥Farmers Wear Many Hats A donated dozer has become one of the most valuable tools on this fire, helping create what firefighters call fire lines—strips of bare ground that give crews a fighting chance to stop the flames before they race into new country. Out here, there aren't many roads. The canyons are steep. The terrain is unforgiving. So before firefighters can defend the land, someone has to build the path they'll fight from. 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Now, we wait for the calvary to come to our assistance. My role as a digital warriror, is a continued effort to push emails to the governor's office, spread the word of our mayor of Jordan Valley as she makes herself heard on social media in a plea for help. I make posts that are intentional and tagged to the White House seeking attention to what looks to be a dangerous situation brewing in the fires that surround us. And, I share our neighboring rancher's stories as the fire consumes the land and much needed grazing property. 🔥🔥🔥 While Sean continues serving on the fire line, our team back at the Cunningham Pastured Meats continues packing every order from our warehouse at Cliff's Country Market in Caldwell, Idaho. Every order you place helps keep our family business moving while our ranch family helps serve the community. Thank you for standing with us. It means more than you know. Watch Sean's interview with KTVB news.

The 3 Most Misleading Labels On Meat!

Organic

Grass-fed

Product of USA

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