Every day, Americans rely on nutrient data to shape their understanding of the foods they choose and how to make the best decisions for their health. Whether reading a Nutrition Facts label, browsing a recipe online, using a health app, or following dietary advice from experts, accurate nutrition information is essential to ensure consumers have the resources they need to make informed decisions for their health and wellbeing.
When it comes to beef, accurate, up-to-date nutrient composition data is critical to reflect today’s wholesome and nutritious beef supply. That’s why the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, led the Nutrient Data Improvement Project -- a multi-year, multi-phase, science-backed initiative in collaboration with USDA and nutrition and meat science academic partners at leading research institutions, including Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Colorado State University.
The goal of the Nutrient Data Improvement Project was to update and expand the nutrient data available for beef cuts to reflect today’s more closely trimmed, diverse options and to reflect the continuously evolving beef supply. The data collected and analyzed included detailed information on beef’s comprehensive nutrient profile such as total protein, individual amino acids, fat and fatty acids, cholesterol, as well as essential vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, selenium, choline, B vitamins and vitamins A, D, E and K. Data collection also included beef cut moisture content and moisture loss in cooking which was also analyzed to calculate USDA cooking yield data which helps consumers to calculate the amount of beef to purchase to feed their crowd.
Each of these nutrient data components contributes to accurately reporting beef’s nutrient density, which is foundational for communicating beef’s nutritional advantages. Without updated and accurate beef nutrient data that is representative of the retail market, the industry’s advancements in nutrition science risks being overlooked or even miscommunicated in nutrition labeling, dietary guidance and public health communications.