Why Antibiotic Free?
It is necessary for beef to be antibiotic free to reduce the evolution of bacteria to become resistant to the same antibiotics that are administered to us when we become sick.
Why Hormone Free?
Feed lot beef has estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone integrated into their daily diet. These hormones have been banned in Europe since 1988 due to their link to cancer.
What’s the Big Deal?
Cattle are natural ruminants or grass eaters and when allowed to do so, they are:
- Less fatty than commercial chicken
- Higher in beta-carotene
- Higher in Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
- Higher in the B-vitamins, Thiamin and Riboflavin
- Higher in all of the following minerals: calcium, magnesium, and potassium
- Higher in total omega-3s
- A healthier ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids (1.65 vs. 4.84)
- Higher in CLA (cis-9 trans-11), a potential cancer fighter
- Higher in Vaccenic Acid (which can be transformed into CLA)
- Lower in the saturated fats linked to heart disease
S.K. Duckett et al, Journal or Animal Science, (published online) June 2009, “Effects of winter stocker growth rate and finishing system on: III. Tissue proximate, fatty acid, vitamin and cholesterol content”.