Organic Meat and Animal Products How are organics different?

 

 

The word "organic" carries a connotation of being extra healthy, and free from chemicals. What does that mean when it  meat and other animal products?

For milk, eggs, meat and other animal products, organic standards address five key areas:

• Timing. Animals raised for slaughter must be raised organically from the last third of gestation (for livestock) or no later than the second day of life (for poultry).
• Feed. Organic livestock must eat feed products that are 100 percent organically grown.
• Prohibited substances. Organically raised animals can't receive hormones to promote growth or antibiotics to treat infection. If an animal is sick, the farmer must treat it. But if it's been treated with a prohibited medication, it can't be labeled and sold as organic.
• Outdoor access. Organically raised animals must have access to the outdoors, including access to pasture land for animals that graze. Each animal must have shade, shelter, fresh air, direct sunlight and room to exercise that's appropriate for its species. Animals can be temporarily confined only for reasons of health, safety, the animal's stage of production or to protect soil or water quality.
• Prohibited co-mingling. Organic animal products must be separated from non-organic products. Organic animal products also shouldn't come into contact with prohibited chemicals or substances.