Purchase the product before the "sell-by" or expiration dates.
Follow handling recommendations on product.
Inspection of beef is mandatory; grading is voluntary, and a plant pays to have its meat graded. Most of the graded beef sold in supermarkets is USDA Choice or USDA Select. The protein, vitamin, and mineral content of beef are similar regardless of the grade.
Marbling is white flecks of fat within the meat muscle. The greater amount of marbling in beef, the higher the grade because marbling makes beef more tender, flavorful, and juicy.
Additives are not allowed on fresh beef. If beef is processed, additives such as MSG, salt, or sodium erythorbate must be listed on the label.
All pork found in retail stores is either USDA inspected for wholesomeness or inspected by state systems which have standards equal to the federal government. Each animal and its internal organs are inspected for signs of disease. The "Passed and Inspected by USDA" seal insures the pork is wholesome and free from disease. Although inspection is mandatory, its grading for quality is voluntary, and a plant pays to have its pork graded.
When buying pork, look for cuts with a relatively small amount of fat over the outside and with meat that is firm and a grayish pink color. For best flavor and tenderness, meat should have a small amount of marbling.
All fresh meat qualifies as "natural." Products labeled "natural" cannot contain any artificial flavor or flavoring, coloring ingredient, chemical preservative, or any other artificial or synthetic ingredient; and the product and its ingredients are not more than minimally processed (ground, for example). All products claiming to be natural should be accompanied by a brief statement which explains what is meant by the term "natural".
Never brown or partially cook beef or pork to refrigerate and finish cooking later, because any bacteria present wouldn't have been destroyed. It is safe to partially pre-cook or microwave beef or pork immediately before transferring it to the hot grill to finish cooking.
(Source: www.fsis.usda.gov)
Contacted specialists in the Quality Assurance Department and Consumer Response Department at the following companies:
Harris Ranch Beef Co.
Hormel Foods Corporation
Marfood USA
Omaha Steaks
Tyson Foods, Inc.
Other Sources:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
*This is only a partial list of our sources as we have used multiple other resources.