At Free Graze, we know that American’s are starting to make healthier choices, when it comes to the food they eat, and serve to their families. Our premium frozen beef and turkey patties, are certified non-hormone and antibiotic free, to address concerns about the growing non-essential use of antibiotics in the American meat industry.
We also know that a trip to the grocery store, when you are trying to make healthier choices, can be pretty confusing. It appears every product (true or false) is advertised as a healthy option. With Free Graze, we pride ourselves on transparent labeling, and providing information to help consumer make an informed choice, about quality frozen meat.
Here’s what we’d like our customers to know about the use of antibiotics in American meat production.
Regulated Use of Antibiotics in American Meat Production
In the agricultural process of raising livestock for consumption, antibiotics are used to treat illness. When an animal experiences a health risk, they are attended to on the farm by a veterinarian, and treated much the same way that we are, when we have an infection or virus. The purpose is to allow the livestock to recover, and to prevent further spread of any infection to the herd.
The use of antibiotics agriculturally for medicinal treatment, or disease prophylaxis, is regulated by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). For more information on the guidelines and restrictions that apply to American meat producers, visit the USDA website.
Overuse of Agricultural Antibiotics as a Growing Health Concern
The problem starts, when animals are preventatively dosed with high levels of antibiotics, or when they are used as part of a growth promotion strategy, to optimize the body weight and meat density of the livestock. It is something that is done to increase profit margins for meat producers, but it has historically presented several concerns and issues for the American meat industry.
In fact, it even led to a moratorium of meat exports from the United States to Japan, the United Kingdom, and other international markets, who have higher standards for antibiotic and hormone use, in agricultural production. Thanks to changes in national standards and more strict regulations, some countries have started allowing American beef imports. In many countries, American meats are still banned, but why were they concerned?
Using antibiotics for non-medicinal reasons, can contribute indirectly to the development of super bugs. You’ve probably heard of concerns over the Asian poultry influenza, and other diseases that can be passed from livestock to humans. According to some clinical studies, the superbugs become antibiotic resistant and flourish, and they can enter the human food chain, creating a risk to public health.
The biggest problem with the development of superbugs in the agricultural system, is that the resistant bacteria in humans, can be very difficult to treat, with traditional antibiotics. Not only could consumers be exposed to the bacteria, but the infection may not respond to prescribed antibiotics.
Medical professionals around the world believe that we are currently in an ‘arms race’ with virulent types of bacteria, that are becoming more and more difficult to control and treat, when they manifest as significant health problems for human. How big is the problem? One study estimated that 80% of all antibiotics used in American meat production, are also used to treat human health issues. Meats that are not antibiotic free, could be eliminating the efficacy of important human health antibiotics, over time.
The truth is that through carefully managed husbandry and agricultural processes, it isn’t necessary to use antibiotics in meat production, for human consumption. The solution is further development of the agricultural regulations and more options in the grocery store, for consumers who want to make a better choice, when it comes to frozen meats.
Free Graze Sources Only Antibiotic and Hormone Free Meat
When choosing the best and healthiest protein sources for your family, there are two aspects that an informed consumer should be aware of. First, that cage-free or grass-fed livestock are less susceptible to diseases. They are raised in uncrowded conditions, that allows them to exercise, move freely, and the result is a higher quality, more flavorful meat, with increased nutritional benefit, than that which is produced using other traditional agricultural methods.
The second aspect, is a guarantee from trusted antibiotic and hormone free American farms, who do not compromise the quality of their meat, with the use of non-medicinal or preventative antibiotics. These farmers are committed to changing the way we think about the meat we eat, and for informed consumers, a slightly higher price in the supermarket is well worth the peace of mind.
Free Graze is a family owned business, that has been a trusted meat processor and distributor for over fifty-years. Our promise to you, is to bring nutritious cage-free and grass-fed, non-hormone and antibiotic free meats that are affordable, and convenient, to American families.
Make the switch. You’ll be glad you did. And if you have any questions or comments regarding our premium beef and turkey frozen patties, please contact us. We value your opinion and feedback.
