Food

Know More About The Meat You Buy

Posted: 3/11/2011

The new animal welfare labeling system at Whole Foods Market helps consumers make more-informed purchasing decisions.

(NAPSI) - In response to the growing concern by consumers about the treatment of farm animals, Whole Foods Market has adopted an innovative rating system that ranks animal welfare practices and conditions. All the leading natural and organic supermarket chain’s U.S. stores offer beef, pork and chicken that are step rated according to Global Animal Partnership’s Animal Welfare Rating system, helping customers make more-informed choices about their meat purchases.

The 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating program is as follows:

Step 1: No cages, crates or crowding

Step 2: Enriched environment

Step 3: Enhanced outdoor access

Step 4: Pasture centered

Step 5: Animal centered: No physical alterations

Step 5+: Animal centered: Entire life on same farm.

In-store, color-coded signs and stickers identify these step ratings.

Said Anne Malleau, global animal production and welfare coordinator for Whole Foods Market, “Whole Foods Market is able to adopt the 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating system thanks to the true partnerships we have with our producers, who put just as much emphasis on the lives of their farm animals as they do on ensuring high-quality products.”

Whether you choose beef, pork or chicken, try these insiders’ secrets in the kitchen. Tips from the butcher:

1. Always salt your meats after cooking, not before. Salting while cooking can pull moisture from the meat.

2. To add additional flavor to grilled meats, try using a dry rub prior to grilling.

3. If using a BBQ sauce that contains sweeteners like sugar, molasses or ketchup, do not apply it before grilling. The sugar content in the sauce will cause it to burn. Instead, apply the sauce during the last few minutes of cooking time or when the meat is done.

4. Try brining for a juicy and more flavorful result. Meat can lose as much as 30 percent of its weight during cooking—but if you soak the meat in a brine first, you can reduce the moisture loss to as little as 15 percent.

5. When serving, cut cooked meats across the grain. They will be easier to eat and will have a better appearance.

Learn more about Global Animal Partnership’s new 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating program now in stores, at www.wholefoodsmarket.com.