Consumer Reports recently covered meat safety, particularly the safety of ground beef. It was determined that grass-fed beef contains significantly less bacteria than conventional ground beef due to how grass fed cows are raised.
Urvashi Rangan, Ph.D., executive director of the Center for Food Safety and Sustainability at Consumer Reports says, “We suggest that you choose what’s labeled ‘grass-fed organic beef’ whenever you can,” Rangan says. Aside from the animal welfare and environmental benefits, grass-fed cattle also need fewer antibiotics or other drugs to treat disease, and organic standards and many verified grass-fed label programs prohibit antibiotics.”
Their chart, A Tale of Two Cows, explains some of the core differences between grass fed cows and conventionally raised cows.
Rangan goes on to say, “The most sustainable beef-production systems don’t rely on any daily drugs, don’t confine animals, and do allow them to eat a natural diet.” And what’s good for cows is good for people, too. “Our findings show that more sustainable can mean safer meat.” That’s why Consumer Reports recommends that you buy sustainably raised beef whenever possible.