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Sales Data : Category Reports : Natural/Organic Category

Fresh Data Shows Trend in Natural/Organic Beef Category

Niche Category Becoming More Relevant

View data showing the percentage of Natural/Organic versus Total beef..

You may be hearing two words more and more lately from your colleagues and customers: "natural"

USDA Releases Rule on Organic Access to Pasture
Although the rule is labeled "final," one element (how cattle intended for organic meats are finished) has been re-opened for comments.
Comments must be submitted by April 19.
The rule as a whole goes into effect June 17.

See news release here.

Visit Regulations.gov and search for AMS-TM-06-0198 to read and submit comments.
and "organic." What do they really mean? How do they affect you and your bottom line?

What is "natural"?

Beef labeled as "natural" is currently defined by the USDA:

     • Minimally processed
     • Contains no additives

Based on this definition, any beef that does not have an ingredient label can be labeled as "natural." This definition is currently under review by the USDA. We will update this definition as soon as a new definition is available.

Many products labeled "natural" today go beyond the requirements and include additional claims relative to the use of hormones, antibiotics, vegetarian feed or free range.

What is "organic"?

Beef labeled as "certified organic" must meet USDA National Organic Program standards:

     • 100% organic feed
     • Never administered hormones or antibiotics
     • Access to pasture

What do these words mean to your bottom line?

Please take a look at the graphs below to see how the Natural/Organic beef category fits into the current beef marketplace:

Funded by The Beef Checkoff
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