What are the USDA requirements for grass-fed beef?

December 17, 2025 •

4 min read

In 2016, the USDA withdrew its official definition for 'grass-fed' beef, creating a complex landscape for consumers navigating meat labels. Understanding what are the USDA requirements for grass-fed beef is essential for making informed purchasing decisions and supporting transparent farming practices.

Quick Summary

The USDA does not currently have a single, official definition for "grass-fed" beef, but does oversee the voluntary marketing claim through the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Producers must submit documentation detailing their feeding protocols for approval, ensuring animals are fed a diet solely of forage. This oversight aims to ensure accuracy in labeling, though third-party certifications often provide stricter standards.

Key Points

FSIS Oversight: The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) approves 'grass-fed' labels based on producer-submitted documentation, not a mandatory federal standard with field inspections.
Forage-Only Diet: The FSIS-approved definition requires the cattle's diet to be derived solely from forage, including grasses, legumes, and browse.
No Guarantee of 100% Grass-Finished: The FSIS-approved label does not guarantee the animal was exclusively grass-fed for its entire life; some may be "grain-finished".
Third-Party Certifications: For stricter standards regarding diet, animal welfare, and antibiotics, consumers should look for independent third-party certifications like the American Grassfed Approved label.
Lack of On-Site Verification: The FSIS verification process for the grass-fed claim is typically a 'desk audit' of submitted documents, not an in-person, on-farm inspection.
Label Explanations: Producers with FSIS-approved labels must often include an explanatory statement to clarify the meaning of their specific claim.
Know Your Source: The most reliable way to ensure you are getting the type of beef you want is to understand the specific farm or producer's practices.

The Evolving Definition of Grass-Fed

The term "grass-fed" on a beef label can be more complex than it appears. While the imagery it evokes is clear—cattle grazing on open pastures—the official regulatory framework has a convoluted history. For a time, the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) had a specific standard for what constituted "grass-fed." However, in 2016, the AMS withdrew this official definition, stating it lacked the authority to verify such claims. This action shifted the responsibility for approving such labels to the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

Today, any producer wishing to use a "grass-fed" claim on their label must submit their feeding protocol to FSIS for approval. The FSIS reviews this documentation to ensure the claim is truthful and not misleading to consumers. The currently used FSIS-approved definition states the animal's diet must be "derived solely from forage consisting of grass (annual and perennial), forbs (e.g., legumes and brassica), and browse or cereal grain crops in the vegetative (pre-grain) state". This means that the cattle must primarily consume forage, and the label is considered a voluntary marketing claim rather than a mandatory certification.

Comparing USDA Oversight to Third-Party Certifications

Because the USDA's oversight of the grass-fed label is based on document review rather than on-site inspections, many consumers turn to third-party certifiers for more rigorous standards. These independent organizations conduct their own inspections and often enforce stricter rules regarding animal welfare, pasture access, and dietary components. The differences can be significant, offering varying levels of assurance.


Feature	USDA FSIS-Approved Grass-Fed Claim	Third-Party Grass-Fed Certifications (e.g., American Grassfed Association)
Verification	Based on producer-submitted documentation and office audits.	Includes on-site, in-person inspections by independent auditors.
Diet	Must be derived solely from forage, as defined by FSIS.	Often requires 100% grass and forage, with no grain supplementation ever.
Animal Welfare	No specific requirements regarding living conditions or access to pasture.	Typically includes standards for pasture access, humane treatment, and environmental impact.
Medications	Does not restrict the use of hormones or antibiotics.	Many forbid the use of hormones and antibiotics.

The Importance of Forage and Foraging Behavior

The FSIS definition, while less strict than some third-party standards, still emphasizes a diet of forage. This aligns with the natural feeding behavior of cattle. A forage-based diet, rather than one supplemented with grain in a feedlot, is what many consumers associate with "grass-fed" beef. When cattle are shifted to a grain-heavy diet late in life (a practice known as "grain-finishing"), the nutritional profile of the beef changes. The higher omega-3 content often associated with grass-fed beef can decrease during this grain-feeding period. Producers who adhere to a 100% grass-fed and grass-finished model believe this provides a superior nutritional and ethical product, which they can verify through stricter, voluntary labeling programs.

A Closer Look at the FSIS Approval Process

For a producer to receive approval for a "grass-fed" label, they must submit a detailed plan to FSIS. This plan outlines their feed source, handling practices, and any other relevant information. FSIS staff then review this documentation from their office, a process known as a "desk audit". There is no requirement for an on-farm visit, which is a key difference from many independent certifications. The producer must also be able to maintain records to demonstrate their adherence to the approved feeding program if questioned. This system relies heavily on the producer's transparency and integrity, which is why consumers are often advised to seek out additional certifications or buy directly from trusted local farmers.

How to Navigate Grass-Fed Labels as a Consumer

Navigating the world of beef labels can be challenging, but an understanding of the USDA's role can help. Here are some steps you can take:

Look beyond the basic "grass-fed" claim: Since this is a voluntary marketing claim overseen by FSIS, it is less comprehensive than a specific certification.
Seek out third-party certifications: Labels like "American Grassfed Approved" or those from Certified Humane often provide more stringent standards for diet, welfare, and pasture access.
Read the full label carefully: Some producers, following FSIS guidelines, will provide an explanatory statement alongside their "grass-fed" claim.
Ask your butcher or farmer: If purchasing from a local source, ask direct questions about their feeding and raising practices.
Consider "Grass-Finished" labels: This term, when paired with "grass-fed," often indicates the animal remained on a forage diet for its entire life.

Conclusion

The USDA's role in regulating the "grass-fed" label is one of oversight, relying on producer documentation rather than a strict, federally enforced standard with on-site verification. The FSIS-approved claim, while requiring that the animal's diet be forage-based, does not guarantee pasture access, a lack of antibiotics, or a 100% grass-finished life. For consumers seeking the most comprehensive standards, exploring third-party certifications is recommended. Ultimately, understanding the nuances of the labeling system empowers consumers to make more informed choices that align with their ethical and nutritional priorities.

Understanding the official USDA stance provides clarity on the minimum expectations for grass-fed labeling, though stricter standards exist.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the USDA does not currently have a universal, federally enforced definition for 'grass-fed' beef. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) withdrew its official standard in 2016, and the oversight is now managed by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) as a voluntary marketing claim.

FSIS-approved 'grass-fed' means the animal ate only forage, but does not specify for how long. 'Grass-finished' typically implies the animal ate only grass and forage for its entire life after weaning, a detail often verified by third-party certifiers rather than the FSIS.

No, the FSIS-approved 'grass-fed' claim refers only to the animal's diet and does not place restrictions on the use of antibiotics or added hormones. For these guarantees, consumers should look for additional labels like 'no antibiotics ever' or third-party certifications.

The FSIS verifies grass-fed claims through a 'desk audit,' which involves reviewing documentation submitted by the producer. Unlike many third-party certifications, there is no requirement for an on-site, in-person inspection of the farm.

The FSIS-approved claim for 'grass-fed' beef does not have specific requirements for animal welfare or access to pasture. It is strictly related to the diet. Third-party certifiers often include pasture access and humane treatment standards in their programs.

The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) withdrew the standard in 2016 because it determined it did not have the authority to define and determine whether grass-fed claims were truthful and not misleading. This shifted the oversight to the FSIS.

The most reliable way is to look for reputable third-party certifications, like those from the American Grassfed Association. These organizations typically have stricter, more transparent standards that include on-site inspections and forbid grain finishing.