Meat Recalls and Imports: How To Find More Humane Food Locally

You might be hearing more about meat, especially beef, lately. Recent recalls and news about imported meat are prompting questions about what we're eating, where it comes from and why.

Here’s what’s happening: In August, the White House announced plans to import up to 300,000 metric tons of beef from other countries that would sell it at prices 25% below market rates in an effort to lower grocery costs for consumers. The announcement raised concerns among U.S. cattle ranchers and farmers, who worry that lower-priced imported beef could reduce demand for domestically produced beef, resulting in lost income.

At the same time, recent meat recalls, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recall of over 167,000 pounds of raw beef, pork and goat meat from Star Meat Delivery Inc. and the recall of nearly 30,000 pounds of raw beef from Argentina, have put food safety and labeling in the news, raising more questions about where meat comes from.

In the face of these developments, people who eat meat or buy it for their families may be looking for more trustworthy sources. We have a solution. The ASPCA ShopKind™ tool helps shoppers find local farmers who raise cattle and other animals more humanely, on pasture — not in crowded, dirty feedlots. The farms included in ASPCA ShopKind have certifications from independent programs like the American Grassfed Association, Animal Welfare Approved and others.

The safest and most sustainable food system is built on a deep network of independent farms raising animals with care while investing in the health of their land, employees and communities. You can make a difference and support more humane farming practices by choosing meat, eggs and dairy from pasture-based, independent farms instead of corporate factory farms.

To find food locally or online that’s more humanly produced, explore ASPCA ShopKind. You can even filter your results for farms and farmers markets near you.