What do those terms mean?

[related article, same source as above - gotbeer]

Defining terms such as organic, natural, grass-fed, free-range and pastured for consumers isn't simple. Some are governed by complex regulations. Others have no regulatory definition.

"We do have a definition for what is organic," says Leslie McKinnon, coordinator of the Texas organic certification program, which includes livestock and poultry. "The basics would be that it is fed organic feed and that they are not given hormones or antibiotics or synthetic medications."

Texas recently finalized its Organic Livestock Standards, which were developed in accordance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Standards for livestock production, according to a Texas Department of Agriculture press release. They apply to animals used to produce meat, eggs and dairy products and other food or fiber products of animal origin.

Natural, by federal definition, applies only to post-slaughter, Ms. McKinnon says. "My understanding is that it just means that it's minimally processed and doesn't contain preservatives or additives."

Other terms, such as grass-fed, free-range and pastured poultry, are still being defined for regulatory purposes, she says. Right now, she says, some of the professional organizations provide guidelines.

Generally, grain-finished means that beef cattle are fed primarily grains at a feedlot an average of 150 days prior to slaughter, says Ron Gill, Texas Cooperative Extension district livestock specialist. The animals will have lived on pasture before that.

Grass-fed or grass-finished beef, lambs and goats are generally fed in pasture on grasses until slaughter.

Pastured poultry generally means the chickens or turkeys have continuous access to the outdoors and fresh pasture. This is not the same as free-range, notes Jo Robinson, author of Why Grassfed Is Best! (Vashon Island Press, 2000).

"Free-range poultry can be chickens that are free to range around in a dusty barn," she says.

Even though some of these terms are not clearly defined, the USDA notes on its Web site that when these appear on labels, they must be "truthful claims."

— Kim Pierce