Hormone Free (Poultry or Pork):
Hormones are not allowed in raising hogs or poultry. *Therefore, the claim “no hormones added” cannot be used on the labels of pork or poultry unless it is followed by a statement that says “Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones.”
Hormone Free (Beef): The term “no hormones administered” may be approved for use on the label of beef products if sufficient documentation is provided to the Agency by the producer showing no hormones have been used in raising the animals. *This does not mean the product is completely hormone free, this only implies that additional hormones were not provided to the animal. Hormones are naturally present in cattle (A 3 ounce serving of beef without added hormones contains 0.9 ng of estrogen while a 3 oz portion of hormone added beef contains 1.2 ng of estrogen. That is only a 0.3 ng difference between the 2 products.)
Which Product is Best?
Products labeled “Free Range”, “Organic”, and “Hormone Free” are not more nutritious than their counterparts. Eggs from Free Range birds have the same nutrient profile as eggs from caged birds. An organic banana has the same amount of calories and cancer fighting phytochemicals as a non-organic banana does. In fact, studies have shown that eating non-organic foods does not increase your risk of cancer. Buying organic, hormone free, and free range can be pricey without any known benefit to our health. This truly comes down to a matter of preference.
Hormone Free (Beef): The term “no hormones administered” may be approved for use on the label of beef products if sufficient documentation is provided to the Agency by the producer showing no hormones have been used in raising the animals. *This does not mean the product is completely hormone free, this only implies that additional hormones were not provided to the animal. Hormones are naturally present in cattle (A 3 ounce serving of beef without added hormones contains 0.9 ng of estrogen while a 3 oz portion of hormone added beef contains 1.2 ng of estrogen. That is only a 0.3 ng difference between the 2 products.)
Which Product is Best?
Products labeled “Free Range”, “Organic”, and “Hormone Free” are not more nutritious than their counterparts. Eggs from Free Range birds have the same nutrient profile as eggs from caged birds. An organic banana has the same amount of calories and cancer fighting phytochemicals as a non-organic banana does. In fact, studies have shown that eating non-organic foods does not increase your risk of cancer. Buying organic, hormone free, and free range can be pricey without any known benefit to our health. This truly comes down to a matter of preference.
