Organic Prairie Frequently Asked Questions

Meat FAQ

What makes Organic Prairie meat organic?

Wholesome, delicious, and nutritious Organic Prairie fresh and frozen organic beef is produced by cooperative family farmers working in harmony with nature.

• The USDA organic standards are the strictest food production standards in the world. Certified organic farms are required to follow the USDA's National Organic Standards www.ams.usda.gov/nop, and are regularly inspected by an independent third party.
• Organic Prairie farmers never use antibiotics, synthetic hormones, or pesticides in production. For beef cattle and hogs, this is from the last third of gestation. For chickens and turkeys, this starts with day-old chicks.
• During their entire lives the cows receive only 100% certified organic feed and pasture.
• Certified feed and pasture are grown on land not treated with synthetic fertilizers or pesticides for a minimum of three years.
• Pasturing of cows provides better quality of life for the animal, superior animal health, and greater nutritive value in food derived from the animal.
• Organic animals must not be genetically modified and cannot be fed food from genetically modified sources.
• All spices and ingredients used are approved by the USDA's National Organic Program.

Is organic meat safe?

Organic meat is the safest choice because it comes from healthy animals raised on healthy land.

• The USDA organic standards set forth regularly audited practices leading to superior health and living conditions of organic animals, a primary component in food safety.
• All Organic Prairie meats are processed at federally inspected plants which are certified for organic production by a third party organic certifier accredited by the National Organic Program of the USDA.
• Organic livestock is never fed animal by-products, and never fed antibiotics.
• We visit and audit all plants regularly to ensure they meet our strict quality standards, and in addition, each plant undergoes a third party audit for Good Manufacturing Processes to ensure a safe processing environment.
• Each lot of our product undergoes rigorous microbial testing far beyond that required by the USDA before shipping to ensure it meets our own quality standards.
• Each unit of organic meat is traceable back to a lot. Each lot is traceable back to the farm of origin, and the Farm Plan required by the National Organic Program allows the specific animals included in the lot to be identified and traced back to birth.

Why are our hot dogs described as "uncured?"

USDA's definition of "cured" meats are those to which synthetic nitrates and nitrites have been added in the form of sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate. When those synthetic nitrates land nitrites are not used, the meat must be labeled "uncured."

Organic Prairie Uncured Ham, Beef & Pork, Beef, and Chicken Hot Dogs are "cured," but with a curing process that uses the nitrates naturally present in celery juice (and many other vegetables), a lactic acid starter culture, and salt. During the old-fashioned process of wood-smoking, the naturally occurring nitrates in the celery juice are converted to nitrites through a lactic acid fermentation process.

Nitrites, naturally occurring or synthetic, serve a vital public health function of blocking the growth of dangerous bacteria in processed meats, and give "cured" meats their characteristic color and flavor.

What does the "freeze by" date mean?

The "freeze by" date is the date by which it is safe to freeze a fresh meat product for later use. Thawed meat should be used immediately.

What does it mean to say our beef "blooms" after the package is opened?

Our meats (except for the chubs) are vacuum packaged, meaning the air is removed from the package during the sealing process. The beef looks purple-ish because oxygen has been excluded. When the package is opened, oxygen in the air comes into contact with the meat, reacts with the myoglobin in the meat as a natural process, and turns the meat red. The Organic Standards of the National Organic Program prohibit the use of carbon dioxide in organic processing. Organic Prairie does not use any sort of modified atmosphere in our packaging.

What is High Pressure Processing?

High pressure processing (HPP) is a food processing method where the meats are subjected to very high pressures (up to 120,000 pounds per square inch) to kill any residual bacteria present after packaging. Pressures used are almost ten times greater than in the deepest oceans on earth. High pressure processing is a physical treatment approved for use in organic food processing. HPP can extend shelf-life without compromising food safety in foods manufactured without use of chemical preservatives. High pressure processing can allow for better retention of texture, nutrients, taste, and appearance. Flavor and nutrition are not diminished by pressure treatment. Organic Prairie's Deli Sliced Meats are processed using High Pressure Processing.

Is all of our organic beef produced in the United States?

Organic Prairie Family of Farms sources all of our organic beef from family farmers and cooperatives producing in compliance with the USDA Organic Standards, both domestically and internationally. Our primary goal is to grow our domestic organic beef program to meet increasing demand, but in the interim we are working with like-minded partners in Canada and Australia to meet consumer demand for the products.

What is the difference between "organic," "grass-fed," and "natural" meat?

It is a common misconception that "natural, grass-fed, or free-range" meat is the same thing as "organic" meat. This is not the case. Significant differences exist between the three. Certified organic farms are required to follow strict standards from the USDA's National Organic Standards and are inspected by an independent third party each year there are no such standards or inspections for natural or conventional meats.

 

Livestock feed is certified organic?
Livestock feed is free of GMOs?
Cattle feed is free of rendered animal byproducts?
No hormones used in beef production?
No antibiotics?
No pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or synthetic fertilizers?
Animals have outdoor access to pasture?
No irradiation?
Ecologically friendly and sustainable farming?

 

 

The family farmers who raise Organic Prairie's certified organic meats are very proud of their outstanding products. "Certified Organic" is our guarantee that the highest standards have been followed to bring you quality meats. Organic Prairie's promise to you:

• No pesticides, antibiotics or hormones.
• 100% certified organic feed.
• Cattle are never fed rendered animal by-products.
• No nitrates, nitrites or preservatives.
• Humane treatment of animals.
• Pork raised unconfined and bedded on thick straw.
• Poultry are free-ranging with full access to the outdoors.
• Beef finished on grain/hay to reduce E. coli.
• Cattle have access to pasture when weather permits.
• Family farmer produced

We care for the earth while bringing you the highest quality food