Choosing Organic Animal Products


 When it comes to animal products, the terminology can be overwhelming. Beyond organic, labels include cage-free, farm-raised, grass-fed, grass-finished, no antibiotics, no hormones, humanely raised, free range, no nitrites, and more. It’s no wonder consumers are confused.

As the most regulated term in the bunch, “organic” is a good starting place when you’re eyeing labels in the meat and dairy section. There is no Dirty Dozen list for animal products, but there is still plenty of research to help inform buying decisions.

Here is a snapshot of what “organic” means with various animal products:

  • Livestock. Organic livestock isn’t raised with hormones or antibiotics, and it is also raised with regulated animal welfare standards that typically include access to pasture feeding. According to the Mayo Clinic, cattle that are allowed to feed in a pasture (grass-fed) may provide meat that is leaner, contains more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, has higher concentrations of antioxidants and vitamins, and provides more conjugated linoleic acid, which is thought to cut down on the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
  • Milk. Since organic milk can’t be produced from dairy cows raised with hormones, the resulting milk is lower in certain hormone levels, including IGF-1. Elevated levels of IGF-1 can spell bad news for people, especially those already at risk for certain cancers. A study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that “any increase in IGF-1 levels attributable to milk consumption could…potentially counteract a protective effect of dietary calcium from milk on colorectal cancer.” Like meat from organically raised cattle, milk from organically raised dairy cows also has higher levels of healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Poultry. There is some evidence that organic chicken has lower levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria than conventionally grown chicken, but for many people, this information is trumped by the increasingly public images of non-organic chickens being raised in inhumane conditions. Organically raised chickens must have access to the outdoors.

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