12/18/2021
Do You Know the Difference Between Grassfed and AGA-Certified Grassfed?
Grassfed is a USDA term that means the ruminant animal (beef, sheep, bison, or goat) has been fed nothing but grass (forage) from weaning to harvest.
The term doesn't guarantee, however, that the animal wasn't given antibiotics or hormones, and it also doesn't necessarily mean the animal was raised without confinement.
Meat labeled grassfed may be imported from other countries.
To use it as a marketing claim or on a label, the producer only has to submit an affidavit stating how the animal was raised. There are no on-farm inspections.
AGA-Certified Grassfed is a term that takes the USDA standards to a higher level.
The AGA certification is a third party on farm inspection with strict standards to insure the animal has eaten nothing but grass (forage) from weaning to harvest, has not been confined, and has never been given antibiotics or hormones.
AGA-certified grassfed also means that the meat is produced in the United States from beef cattle and other ruminants born and raised in this country.
Always look for the American Grassfed Association label when shopping.
