USDA Organic: Beef
The organic label has among the strongest standards for environmental sustainability including prohibiting synthetic fertilizers and industrial pesticides. Animal feed must be 100% organically produced and without animal byproducts or daily drugs. GMOs are prohibited (though testing is not required).
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
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
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
*Encouraged but not required
**Must be performed at a young age and with pain relief
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
Food Label Glossary
For explanations of some of these technical terms, like “rotational grazing” or “sewage sludge fertilizers,” please visit our glossary.