What Does “Grassfed” Really Mean?

Look for American Grassfed Association certification, which means animals were raised 100 percent on grass and forage — not grain.

a farmer feeds chickens grazing in a pasture

By Michael Dregni | Experience LifeJuly 15, 2022

“Grassfed”

There’s evidence that animals fed grass and forage — rather than grain — are healthier, which results in more nutritious and better-tasting products as well as more sustainable farming and ranching practices, according to the American Grassfed Association (AGA).

The USDA began certifying grassfed products in 2006 but revoked the label in 2016. Today, the AGA certification, which debuted in 2009, is the most recognized standard and requires that animals were fed a lifetime diet of 100 percent forage, were raised on pasture, and were never treated with hormones or antibiotics.

This was excerpted from “How to Read Misleading Food Labels” which was published in the July/August 2022 issue of Experience Life.