Consumers Union, the nonprofit advocacy group that tests products and publishes its results in Consumer Reports, says grass-fed beef is likely better for human and soil health.
In the magazine’s March 2008 "claim check" column (not yet online), Consumer Reports asks, “Is grass-fed beef better?” The answer:
CR’s take. This beef could have benefits. The limited research completed to date suggests that steak and hamburger from grass-fed cattle may contain less total fat per serving, according to a review by the nonprofit Union of Concerned Scientists. Grass-fed steak can also have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which may help reduce heart-disease risk. Grass-fed ground beef usually has more conjugated linoleic acid, which might improve the immune system and help fight cancer, atherosclerosis, and type 2 diabetes, lab and animal studies show. And raising cattle on well-managed pastures can lessen erosion and boost soil fertility, the scientists’ group found.
According to a December New York Times article, Consumers Reports has 4.5 million print subscribers, while almost 3 million more read online (only 600,000 subscribers fall in both counts).
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February 4th, 2008 at 11:41 am
If anyone would like to read the Union of Concerned Scientists analysis mentioned above, please visit http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/sustainable_food/greener-pastures.html
February 18th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Cool! I wish the USDA would let me quote CR on my pastured pork meat label! Food that’s good for us. The USDA told me to not even think about mentioning the Omega-3 fatty acids. Oh, well…