Pasture-Raised, Free-Range & No-Antibiotics Meat Labels

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Key takeaway: Claims about how an animal was raised are voluntary, and FSIS approves each one based on the company's paperwork, but FSIS doesn't inspect farms. "Raised without antibiotics" means no antibiotics in feed, water or injections. "Humanely raised" has no FSIS definition, so the label must say whose standard it is. A certifier's name, website and logo mean an independent group checks the claim.

Last reviewed October 21, 2026 · Sources · Editorial standards

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Words like "free range," "pasture raised," "no antibiotics ever" and "humanely raised" describe how an animal lived, not the meat itself. USDA calls them animal-raising claims. Here is what the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) expects behind each one, as of October 2026. For grass-fed, organic, natural and "no hormones added," see How to Read Meat Labels.

Who approves these claims?

Animal-raising claims are voluntary marketing claims. FSIS reviews the documentation a company submits, and the claim can appear on meat or poultry sold to consumers only after FSIS approves it. (FSIS, Aug. 30, 2024) The paperwork FSIS typically looks for includes a written description of how the claim is controlled from birth to slaughter, a signed and dated description of how the animals are raised, and an explanation of how the product is traced and kept separate from animals or meat that don't qualify. (FSIS-GD-2024-0006)

FSIS's current guideline on these claims, FSIS-GD-2024-0006, was issued in August 2024. FSIS notes that what happens on the farm is outside its jurisdiction, which is why it strongly encourages third-party certification. (FSIS-GD-2024-0006) At plants that use these claims, FSIS inspectors routinely check that a compliant label record is on file, and FSIS can rescind approval of a false or misleading label. (FSIS notice, Sept. 10, 2024)

"Free range" and "free roaming"

For poultry, FSIS says the documentation for a "free range" claim must describe the birds' housing and show continuous, free access to the outdoors throughout their normal growing cycle. Birds that stay in poultry houses or coops for the whole growing cycle because of extreme weather are not considered free range. (FSIS-GD-2024-0006)

For meat from livestock, such as beef or pork, documentation for a "free range" claim typically shows the animals had continuous, free access to the outdoors throughout the entire grazing season. On livestock products, these living-condition claims also need extra wording on the label that explains what the claim means and that the animals were never confined to a feedlot. On poultry, FSIS doesn't require that extra wording for "free range," "free roaming," "pasture raised" and similar claims, but the company still has to submit documentation to support them. (FSIS-GD-2024-0006)

"Pasture raised," "pasture fed" and "meadow raised"

For "pasture raised," "pasture fed," "pasture grown," "meadow raised" and similar claims, FSIS strongly encourages companies to also document two things: that each animal spent the majority of its life on pasture, and that "pasture" on the label means land mostly covered by grass or other plants. (FSIS-GD-2024-0006)

FSIS added that recommendation in 2024 after petitions and thousands of public comments, including a 2023 petition asking FSIS to treat "pasture-raised" as a separate claim from "free range." FSIS decided not to write definitions of animal-raising claims into its regulations, saying production practices and consumer expectations keep changing. (FSIS notice, Sept. 10, 2024)

"Raised without antibiotics" and "no antibiotics ever"

For a "raised without antibiotics" claim, the animals can't be given antibiotics in their feed, water or by injection at any point. That includes ionophores, a type of drug FSIS counts as an antibiotic. Other examples FSIS lists include "No Antibiotics Administered," "No Added Antibiotics" and "No Antibiotics Ever." (FSIS-GD-2024-0006) FSIS's glossary says "no antibiotics added" may be used when the producer gives FSIS enough documentation that the animals were raised without antibiotics. (USDA FSIS)

A "no sub-therapeutic antibiotics" claim is different. It means the animals weren't given antibiotics on a daily basis but may have been treated for illness, and the label has to explain that. On a product with several ingredients, such as a beef lasagna, the claim should say which part it covers, for example "Beef Raised Without the Use of Antibiotics," rather than "No Antibiotics." (FSIS-GD-2024-0006)

In a 2023–2024 study, FSIS and USDA's Agricultural Research Service tested liver and kidney samples from 189 cattle headed for the "raised without antibiotics" market at 79 slaughter plants in 34 states. Antibiotic residues were found in 37 of them, about 20 percent. (FSIS notice, Sept. 10, 2024) FSIS notified the plants involved and now strongly encourages companies making these claims to test animals before slaughter or use a third-party certifier that tests. It has said it will take enforcement action against false or misleading antibiotic claims. (FSIS, Aug. 30, 2024)

"Humanely raised" and other welfare claims

Claims such as "Humanely Raised," "Raised with Care," "Thoughtfully Raised" and "Ethically Raised" describe the care animals receive. FSIS doesn't define these terms, so it approves them only if the label names the group that set the standard and explains what the claim means, or gives a website where that standard is posted. (FSIS-GD-2024-0006)

What a certifier's name and logo tell you

When a third-party organization certifies an animal-raising claim, FSIS approves the label only if it shows the certifier's name, its website (where the standards are posted) and its logo, if it has one. An asterisk or other symbol must connect the claim to that information. (FSIS-GD-2024-0006)

FSIS says a certifier should be independent of the company paying for certification, should routinely audit and verify the claim, and should be able to review records, visit farms and suspend or withdraw certification. Where it applies, such as antibiotic claims, the certifier should also do routine sampling and testing. Companies may also use USDA's Process Verified Program, a voluntary, fee-based audit service run by the Agricultural Marketing Service. (FSIS-GD-2024-0006)

What this means when you shop

Animal-raising claims are voluntary. A package without one isn't necessarily raised any differently.
FSIS approves these claims based on the company's documentation. It doesn't inspect farms.
A certifier's name, website and logo next to the claim mean an independent group checks it. You can look up that group's standard on its website.
For welfare claims like "humanely raised," read the definition or website on the label to see whose standard applies.
When you buy from a local farm or butcher, you can ask how the animals were raised. Our guide to finding a local butcher or farm has questions to start with.

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Sources checked October 2026. Substantive changes are listed in our Corrections Log.

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Pasture-Raised, Free-Range and "No Antibiotics": What Animal-Raising Claims Mean on Meat Labels