MOBeef Update

Americans love ground beef – and the good news is that lean ground beef is good for them! Ground beef, the most common way to consume naturally nutrient-rich beef in the United States, is unique because it can differ in lean and fat content at grocery stores. Now, 95 percent of grocery stores across the country sell ground beef that is 90 percent lean or leaner, so it is easier than ever to “go lean with protein” as recommended in MyPyramid, endorsed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

America’s beef producers realize the importance of providing complete nutrition information so people can enjoy nutrient-rich food choices, such as lean ground beef. To help do this, with support of the $1 per head beef checkoff, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association worked closely with the USDA to provide consumers with more comprehensive nutrition information on lean ground beef. By inputting a few key factors into the new Ground Beef Calculator, available at http://www.ars.usda.gov/nutrientdata/GroundBeefCalculator, consumers can determine the full nutritional content, including calories, vitamins and nutrients, for ground beef up to 95 percent lean.

This information is valuable to key health and fitness influencers, which is why the Missouri Beef Industry Council is promoting the resource through collaborations with the Missouri Dietetic Association in addition to highlighting it in the quarterly “Health Style” newsletter that is distributed to nearly 3,000 health professionals. This is one of the many programs funded by the checkoff that is created by the national entity and extended by the individual State Beef Councils.

For more information on the $1 per head beef checkoff program in Missouri, visit www.mobeef.org. The national program’s website is www.mybeefcheckoff.com.