Food Alliance: Beef
The Food Alliance label incorporates aspects of environmental, animal and social sustainability. Each aspect has options that are scored on multiple attributes. While other labels may have more requirements or be more in depth in a particular area, this label covers many areas but requires less stringent requirements in each area compared to our top picks.
Requires Verification/Inspection
FoodPrint Label Criteria
Animal Feed Quality
Produced without industrial pesticides*
Synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge prohibited**
Finished on grass
Prohibits animal waste and byproduct
Restricts use of feed supplements
Prohibits GMOs
*Some standards exist, but not as comprehensive as USDA Organic
**Discouraged but not prohibited
Drug Use
Antibiotics only for sick animals or prohibited
Prohibit hormones and other drugs to healthy animals
Environmental and Pasture Quality
Pasture management / rotational grazing plan required*
Synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge prohibited**
Grown without industrial pesticides***
Biodiversity required in pasture****
Soil health monitored/measured for improvement over time*****
*Encouraged but not systematic
**Discouraged but not prohibited
***Some standards exist, but not as comprehensive as USDA Organic
****Some biodiversity requirements are required, but is not comprehensive
*****Some assessment of soil health is required, but is not comprehensive
Animal Welfare and Living Conditions
Prohibits feedlots
Prohibits long term confinement
Prohibits electric prods*
Hygiene and manure management addressed**
Pain relief for castration***
Prohibits dehorning
Taildocking prohibited
Standards for animal wellbeing in transport including maximum duration times****
Welfare standards for slaughtering addressed
Pasture required throughout grazing/growing season
*Discouraged but can be used as a last resort
**Some standards exist, but not as comprehensive as Animal Welfare Approved
***Encouraged but not required
****Some standards exist, but not as comprehensive as Animal Welfare Approved
Worker Welfare
Standards and protections for workers on farm*
Standards and protections for workers in processing plants*
Fair/living wages ensured*
Health care insurance ensured
*Some standards exist, but not as comprehensive as Food Justice Certified
Food Label Glossary
For explanations of some of these technical terms, like “rotational grazing” or “sewage sludge fertilizers,” please visit our glossary.