Know your Beef!
Check your USDA Grade Shields. Is there one? If there is not a USDA Grade Shield, there is a very good chance that the meats are from the "commercial or standard" grades or basically an older beef. These grades will not be listed or shielded on the package of fresh cut meats. These are often frequently sold as "ungraded" or "store brand" meat at retail. The "bottom of the food chain" grades include: Utility, Cutter, Canner. These grades are seldom (if ever) sold at retail as fresh cut meats, but may be what you are purchasing in a "fly by night" situation. USDA Grades of Utility, Cutter, and Canner are typically used for ground or processed food products and not fresh cut meats.
Always check the USDA Grade Shield. If there is a quality grade, any retailer will show it proudly.
To protect yourself from be "scammed" always purchase your fresh cut meats from a reputable retailer. Always ask questions! Know your grades and be an informed consumer. As in most situations, if it seems too good to be true...it probably is!
Poultry also carries a quality grade shield!
The USDA grades for poultry are A, B, and C.
Grade A is the highest quality and the only grade that is likely to be seen at the retail level. This grade indicates that the poultry products are virtually free from defects such as bruises, discolorations, and feathers. Bone-in products have no broken bones. For whole birds and parts with the skin on, there are no tears in the skin or exposed flesh that could dry out during cooking, and a good covering of fat under the skin. Also, whole birds and parts will be fully fleshed and meaty.
The U.S. grade shield for poultry may be found on the following chilled or frozen ready-to-cook poultry products: whole carcasses and parts, as well as roasts, tenderloins, and other boneless and/or skinless poultry products that are being marketed. There are no grade standards for necks, wing tips, tails, giblets, or ground poultry.
Grades B and C poultry are usually used in further-processed products where the poultry meat is cut up, chopped, or ground. If sold at retail, they are usually not grade identified.
It's okay to be skeptical when looking for fresh meats. Avoid being scammed....ask questions! If these folks are legitimate meat cutters, they will be more than happy to answer your questions. So, what questions should you ask? Start with these very basic tips from USDA.
