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10 Labels Deconstructed
 USDA Certified Organic: Consumers should be aware that items with the "certified organic" label need only be 95% organic and, more importantly, that exceptions to this rule are frequently made for companies proving that synthetic products are essential in the production of a specific product. What this label ultimately represents is a willingness on the part of the producer to submit to oversight by a certifying agent, who in turn determines the legitimacy of the production.
 Fair Trade Certified: Fair Trade Certification standards benefit over 800,000 farmers and workers in developing nations by helping them to receive a fair price for their product, develop relations with buyers and gain access to credit. Fair Trade Certified producers are encouraged to use sustainable farming methods, without the use of many harmful pesticides or forced child labor. You are most likely to see this label on coffee, chocolate and tea.
 Free Farmed: Administered by the American Humane Association, the "Free Farmed" program provides producers with certification that their farm animals are raised humanely in cage-free environment. The animals must be kept in an environment that allows for exercise and freedom of movement, however, participation in the program does not require outdoor access. Other standards set forth by the American Humane Association require that the animals have access to clean and plentiful food and water, a safe environment, protection from the elements and other features ensuring safety, health and adequate comfort.
 rBGH-Free, rBST-Free, Hormone Free & No Hormones Added: These terms on labels indicated that the animals were not injected with rBGH or rBST, genetically engineered hormones that are used to increase milk production in cows or to speed growth in beef production. The use of these hormones is commonly associated with animal welfare issues; however, the labels above do not have a significant relevance to an animal's living conditions. It is illegal to use hormones in chicken or pig production.
USDA Prime, Choice & Select: USDA grades of beef are used to indicate how tender, flavorful and
juicy the beef will be. Although inspection is mandatory, beef grading is voluntary and producers pay to have meat graded.
 USDA Prime: Beef graded as USDA Prime is some of the most tender and flavorful beef available. To be labeled "Prime," the beef must have above 8% intramuscular fat with abundant marbling.
 USDA Choice: Choice beef is the second grade of the USDA scale with 4-8% intramuscular fat and small to moderate marbling.
 USDA Select: The third tier of the USDA grading system, Select Beef has 3-4% intramuscular fat with only slight marbling. This is the lowest grade that you are likely to find for sale at a supermarket meat counter.
 Gluten-Free: Gluten is the insoluble protein component of wheat and other grains. Gluten-free is defined as "containing less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten." This label is voluntary and products not containing gluten need not be identified.
 Transfat Free: Transfat refers to a type of unsaturated fat that contains a trans isomer fatty acid. Transfats are not beneficial to one's health in any way and are not required by the human body at all. The "Transfat Free" label, although a step in the right direction, can be misleading. Products containing transfats can carry the "transfat free" label if the amount of fat per serving is less than 0.5 grams. A consumer's best bet is to read the list of ingredients, if a product contains partially hydrogenated oil, it is not transfat free, regardless of what the label reads.
 Slow Food: Slow Food is a "non-profit, eco-gastronomic member-supported organization that educates people about how their food choices affect the rest of the world." Dedicated to preserving and celebrating food traditions throughout the world, Slow Food believes that "pleasure and quality in everyday life can be achieved by slowing down, respecting the convivial traditions of the table and celebrating the diversity of the earth's bounty."
 Kosher: These kosher labels indicate that the "food has been inspected by one of the kosher certifying agencies in the US." To receive a kosher label, food must adhere to strict Jewish dietary guidelines, based, among other things, on the type of animal, the way an animal is slaughtered. Click here for a more in-depth look at kosher restrictions.
 Food Alliance Certified: Food Alliance is a coalition of farmers, growers, scientists and distributors, that recognize and reward farmers using sustainable agriculture practices. To be certified, farmers must meet guidelines for "pest and disease management, soil and water conservation and human resource development." The alliance is the "most comprehensive third-party certification in North America for sustainably produced food."
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
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