Why is Organic Meat So Expensive?
One of the reasons organic meats are more expensive are because of the guidelines imposed by the FDA. Organic farms must meet these guidelines before their meat can be considered organic. Some of the guidelines include animals being treated humanly. All animals must be able to roam free as much as possible. In order to be considered all natural organic meat, the land the animals roam on must be organic and free of pesticides and chemically enhanced fertilizers.
There can be absolutely no pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, preservatives, nitrates, or synthetic fertilizers used on the land these animals roam. This ensures that anything, including the grass will be completely organic for the animals.
The animals feed must be completely organic as well. There can be no antibiotics or animal by products in their feed. There are also given grain and hay to help reduce the E-Coli bacteria that can be found in some non-organic feed. Moreover, no hormones are allowed to be used in the raising of animals on an organic farm.
It takes time to bring a farm to organic status. Not only must the ground the animals are on be organic, but anything they come in contact with must also be totally organic. Many organic farms take years of preparation before reaching organic status.
Processing these animals can also be very expensive. To ensure there are no preservatives used the meat must be processed with the use of high pressure. This ensures there is no excess bacterium found in the meat. It also gives the meat a much longer shelf life. Without the use of preservatives this high pressure must be used to ensure healthy organic meats.
Yes, organic meats can be more expensive than non-organic meats. It may be well worth the extra money to ensure there are no chemicals or additives used to maintain, process and deliver healthy meats. Be sure to check the labels on your meat to ensure it is organic. By eating healthy, natural meats one is taking an active part in maintaining their health and for many, that’s more than worth the price.
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