Talking Turkey: Conventional vs Organic
When you choose your next turkey, what factors will you take into consideration? Do you want more meat or would you rather preserve an endangered breed? Do you know, understand the marketing gimmicks used by the industry to make you pay more? Organic turkeys are often in high demand; so if you choose to get one, you should order it now (if you haven’t already). Whole Foods/Amazon has a sale through November 26. <Click here >
Hormones
Most of us are willing to pay more for a bird raised without added hormones, right? We want that thick, juicy breast meat, but don’t want biological repercussions within our own bodies.
What most of us don’t realize it’s illegal in the US to add hormones to poultry. Added hormones within our poultry is something we will probably never have to worry about. The packaging that says ‘no added hormones’ is simply a marketing ploy.
Antibiotics
An organic turkey is antibiotic free.
Organic turkey farms use neither antibiotics nor feed that has not been certified organic.
Turkeys may start out antibiotic-free, but farmers may medicate an entire flock if a few birds get sick. Some growers keep separate flocks, raising turkeys without antibiotics until problems occur, then moving sick birds to another pen if they have to medicate. Others must
An ongoing argument exists regarding the ethics of using antibiotics. While many farmers have announced that they will stop adding medication to daily feed, they hold that treating sick animals is the most humane way to raise meat. Eschewing all antibiotics means suffering of the animal, spread of disease, and euthanasia of sick animals before the other livestock can contract the illness.
Injected Additives
Self-basting or injected birds have been treated with a
Don’t let the “Natural” label fool you
Unlike the word “organic” the word “natural” does not have a specific meaning and can mean many different things. In general, “natural” food does not contain artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives or other additives. When you see the word “organic” on a label or a package that means the product was grown or made according to the strict standards (i.e. Without the use of toxic, persistent chemicals, GMOs, antibiotics or hormones) as established by the USDA.
Summary of Organic vs Conventional
Organic birds, one would imagine fields of open space with birds freely moving around. The use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, irradiation, sewage sludge, hormones, antibiotics and genetic engineering is strictly prohibited. However, being organic does not guarantee they are free ranged
Conventional broad breasted turkeys are in most cases caged, eat genetically modified grain, never see the light of day, and are given antibiotics, and injected with unknown solutions.
Free-range and organic turkeys are often in high demand; so if you choose to get one, you should order it now (if you haven’t already). Whole Foods/Amazon has a sale through November 26. <Click ad below>
THROUGH NOV 26, 2017
Have you eaten heritage or organic turkeys? Did you notice a flavor difference?
Deciphering the Label Online RESOURCES:
USDA guidelines for conventional/organic turkey
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/2a9bcae8-ae1e-4248-9ce7-4e752f2f91fc/Turkey_Raised_by_the_Rules.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
Label Guide: Food Network http://www.foodnetwork.com/healthyeats/healthy-tips/2009/04/eco-friendly-food-label-decoder