How do you read the meat label ?

Bovì has chosen to produce meat following certain criteria which start with respect for the animal's well-being. In fact, the company mission includes the desire and need to work towards the production of genuine and healthy meat both from the point of view of prophylaxis and in the choice of offering vacuum-packed meat .

The legislation on meat labeling

In Italy and more generally, in the European community, there are precise rules to follow regarding the labeling of meat in such a way as to guarantee that complete information reaches the consumer: first of all what he buys and where it comes from.

Initially, the label was required only for beef but subsequently the regulation was extended to all types of meat: pork, sheep, goat, poultry and horse whether fresh, frozen, sectioned, minced or vacuum-packed. However, processed meats such as skewers, rolls and cordon bleu are not included.

However, it is beef that must respond to greater rigidity in labeling, given that it is the most sold and consumed meat.

This is why conscious spending prefers to focus on cuts of meat that have not yet been treated, so as to be sure of bringing healthy and genuine products to the table.

Meat label. What is the mandatory information?

The mandatory information to be indicated on the beef label is:

• Born in: indicates the country of birth of the animal.
• Bred in: indicates the country in which the animal was bred and raised.
• Slaughtered or cut in: indicates the country in which the animal was slaughtered and cut into cuts.
• Slaughterhouse approval code: Indicates the health authorization number of the slaughterhouse.
• Animal reference code: indicates the traceability number of the animal.

Thanks to these details it is possible to know and reconstruct the entire production and sorting chain of the meat present on our table. In addition to this information there is other additional data that defines:

• Breed of the animal
• Product category
• Cut of meat
• Age of the animal at the time of slaughter

The data of the animal and the production chain move hand in hand with other equally important information:

• Expiration
• Packaging method
• Manufacturer company data
• Weight
• Price
• Conservation methods

Meat label. Doubts about the wording

The most frequent doubts that revolve around the legislation that regulates and defines the guidelines for meat labels revolve around the indications of the breeding. It often happens, in fact, that the animal is raised for a period of time in one country and subsequently brought to adulthood in another.

What to do in these cases? The clarifications regarding the legislation come to the rescue by defining a series of additional parameters regarding breeding.

In fact, in addition to the place of breeding, the origin and place of slaughter must also be indicated on the label. In particular:

In pork:

• “Origin” indicates that the meat comes from farms that include the entire production cycle: birth, growth and slaughter.
• “Raised in” is divided into three subcategories. For animals over 6 months old, the wording indicates the place where the last breeding period took place (4 months). For animals under 6 months and 80 kg in weight, the wording indicates the country in which the entire breeding took place. For animals over 6 months old and weighing 80 kg, the wording indicates the country in which the breeding took place from 30 kg onwards.
• “Slaughtered in” defines the country in which only the slaughter took place.

In birds:

• Origin” indicates that the meat comes from farms that include the entire production cycle: birth, growth and slaughter.
• “Raised in” is divided into two subcategories. For animals over 1 month old, the wording indicates the place where the last breeding period took place (at least 1 month). For animals under 1 month, the wording indicates the country in which the fattening phase took place.
• “Slaughtered in” defines the country in which only the slaughter took place.

In sheep and goats:

• “Origin” indicates that the meat comes from farms that include the entire production cycle: birth, growth and slaughter.
• “Raised in” is divided into two subcategories. For animals over 6 months old, the wording indicates the place where the last breeding period took place (at least 6 months). For animals under 6 months, the wording indicates the country in which the entire breeding took place.
• “Slaughtered in” defines the country in which only the slaughter took place.

Thanks to this definition it is possible to better understand the real origin of the cut of meat we buy.

Safety in choice

Thanks to the parameters imposed by the legislation, it is possible to achieve a good level of awareness when purchasing meat.

The label on the packaging provides a consistent and detailed amount of information and allows you to purchase an Italian product without margins of error. However, absolute certainty occurs when the words "Italian origin" are affixed to the package, which defines the real origin of the cut of meat.

Bovì's idea is to raise and slaughter animals in full respect of nature's times, without forcing so as to make the cut of meat perfect for the specific use. The idea of ​​raising animals as tradition dictates, but making technical improvements and technological innovations, is the basis of the company which, in full respect of nature's times, chooses to offer vacuum-packed meat.

The cuts of meat offered by Bovì range from common use to the most refined and particular cuts, such as Picanha and Lingua Salmistrata . Alongside the single cut, there are Boxes with cuts of meat intended for the most disparate uses and capable of satisfying all the needs of the family: from the Blue Belgian Box to the Bollito Box .

The choice is wide and ranges from meats, cheeses , wines and beers . All in full respect of traditional production and an innovative delivery!