The Organic Trade Association touts that growing evidence shows organic food to be healthier and more nutritious. With so many meat options available in stores, restaurants and butcher shops, it is easy to get confused. Knowing exactly what makes meat organic can help you to make informed, healthy food choices.
Definition
Organic meat comes from animals that are not fed any animal products while being raised. The animals must also not be given any antibiotics or growth hormones. If organically raised calves must have milk-replacer, it must be organic and contain no nonmilk products. Additionally, companies that process organic meat, such as slaughterhouses, must be certified organic. Debate exists as to whether organic meat is necessarily more humanely raised. It seems that while this is sometimes the case, no regulations ensure this.
Regulations
Organic meat regulations exist that are meant to ensure that organic practices are used when the label "organic" is used, as well as to govern record-keeping and inspection of facilities. The National Organic Program of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees the regulation of all organic food, including meat. All agricultural meat labeled "organic" must comply with USDA organic regulations. To prove this, an accredited certification agency must verify that production methods meet USDA organic standards.
Organic Meat and Mad Cow Disease
In addition to other health and environmental concerns, some worry about bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease, in nonorganic meat. Cows become infected by eating animal feed made with animal byproducts. Therefore, it is thought that meat from cows not fed any animal products could not be contaminated. In people who eat contaminated beef, the illness manifests as Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease--it is always fatal. The risk of contracting the disease in the United States is quite low. The meats thought to be at highest risk are processed meats and preground beef, which might contain cow brain or spinal cord.
Cost
Organic meat usually costs more. Organic meat must meet stricter regulations governing all steps in production than conventional meat. Organic farms require greater labor and management costs. According to an article in "Business Week," eating organic meat "might come down to your willingness to pay more to avoid supporting certain agricultural practices, such as antibiotic use in animals, which could promote resistant bacterial strains, or the use of growth hormones, which could prematurely wear down the animal."
Significance
Choosing organic meat lessens exposure to antibiotics, synthetic hormones and drugs, and many believe that there are health benefits to avoiding these substances. Cynthia Perkins, a psychotherapist specializing in the impact of diet and nutrition on mental health, claims: "Whether you’re trying to improve your health or protect your health in the future, eating organic meat is an important component that should be incorporated into all healthy living plans. The body cannot heal or function optimally if you consistently consume toxins like hormones, antibiotics and pesticides." Perkins sites numerous risks of eating nonorganic meat, including hormonal imbalances, reproductive system problems, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders and immune system issues.
