Tag: Beef trimmings

By law, ground beef consists of chopped or ground fresh and/or frozen beef, with strict prohibitions on added water or fillers. So, is ground beef actually beef? Yes, but the specific contents and composition are more complex than you might think.

According to the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, pure ground beef should contain nothing but chopped fresh and/or frozen beef, with or without seasoning. This standard dispels many myths about fillers, but it also prompts the question: what exactly goes into the beef and fat mix? This guide explains what happens at the butcher's block and clarifies the ingredients and standards behind this staple meat product.

While Steak-umm packages often state they are "all natural (minimally processed, no artificial ingredients)" and "100% beef," the manufacturing process is a key factor in determining if steakums are highly processed. The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no, involving the source of the meat and the steps it undergoes to become the thinly sliced product we know.