Tag: Usda labeling

In the United States, over 90% of corn, soy, and cotton crops are grown from genetically engineered seeds. This means that many packaged and processed items contain bioengineered ingredients, leading consumers to seek a clearer understanding of what these foods are.

According to USDA regulations, all ground beef products must contain some percentage of fat to be labeled as such. This surprising fact means you cannot get 100% lean ground beef, and the labels on packages indicate the lean-to-fat ratio.

Confusingly, many people believe the FDA strictly defines 'grass-fed', but in reality, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees these claims, often on a case-by-case basis after its own official standard was withdrawn in 2016. The FDA primarily focuses on drug and feed safety, leaving meat production standards to the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

According to the National Coffee Association, there is currently no commercially available coffee made from genetically modified (bioengineered) coffee beans. This fact often surprises consumers, who may be confused by "Non-GMO" labels or concerned about additives and flavorings in their favorite brew.

According to General Mills' Smart Label website, Fruit Roll-Ups are made with ingredients derived from a bioengineered source. This required disclosure reflects the presence of ingredients from genetically modified crops used in the snack's production, answering the question: are Fruit Roll-Ups bioengineered?.

According to major health organizations like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), currently available bioengineered foods are as safe and nutritious as their non-bioengineered counterparts. But for many consumers, the question lingers: *Does bioengineered mean unhealthy?*.

According to the USDA, a processed meat is any meat that has been altered by salting, curing, smoking, or adding preservatives. This definition is crucial for understanding whether uncured meats still considered processed, a common point of confusion for health-conscious consumers. The key difference isn't whether the meat is processed, but rather the source of the preserving agents.

Despite its "uncured" label, this meat is, in fact, processed. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) mandates this term for products preserved with naturally occurring nitrates, like celery powder, instead of synthetic ones.

Since January 1, 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has mandated that certain foods must be labeled to disclose the presence of bioengineered food ingredients. This requirement, part of the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS), aims to provide clarity to consumers about how their food is made.

While grocery stores commonly label ground beef with a lean-to-fat ratio (e.g., 85/15), this doesn't always align with the official U.S. government standard for a nutritionally 'lean' product. So, **is 15% fat beef lean** according to official guidelines? The answer involves understanding both common labeling and specific nutritional criteria.