Every chef knows that the secret to an excellent dish begins with the highest quality ingredients. This principle applies not only to what ends up on our plate but also to what happens in the earlier stages of the food chain. Have you ever considered the “ingredients for our ingredients”? In Europe, the product journey of premium beef begins with a fundamental issue—the feed that the animals consume.
The well-known saying “you are what you eat” is of key importance in this context. The European food production system takes this literally, applying some of the most rigorous standards for animal feed in the world. These standards are the invisible yet powerful foundation of the flavour, quality, and safety of beef originating from Europe.
Our Philosophy
The quality of meat is a direct reflection of the animal’s diet and health. A balanced, safe, and high-quality diet translates into better development and well-being for the animal, and ultimately, into the taste and nutritional values of the product that reaches the consumer. The European Union has built its entire food safety system on this philosophy, creating a comprehensive and strictly enforced legal framework that regulates every aspect of feed production and control¹.
Key Pillars of European Feed Standards
European legislation on animal feed is based on several pillars that together form a robust system for protecting the food chain.
1. Rigorous Control of Ingredients and Origin
Every ingredient used in feed must be officially approved and fully traceable. This means that feed producers must maintain detailed records that allow for tracking the journey of each component—from its source to the moment it is fed to the animal. This system prevents undesirable or dangerous substances from entering the animals’ diet, acting as the first, crucial protective barrier.
2. Ban on the Use of Antibiotics as Growth Promoters
This is one of the most important distinguishing features of the European production model. Since 2006, the use of antibiotics to accelerate the growth of farm animals has been completely banned throughout the European Union². This decision has a twofold, fundamental significance. Firstly, it promotes natural and healthy farming methods where animal welfare and proper conditions are more important than artificial stimulation. Secondly, it is a key element in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which poses a serious threat to public health worldwide.
3. Strict Control of Contaminants
EU law sets maximum, extremely low permissible levels for undesirable substances that could be found in feed. This includes heavy metals (such as lead and cadmium), dioxins, and mycotoxins (toxins produced by moulds). Regular, official inspections and advanced laboratory tests guarantee that the feed is clean and free from contaminants that could negatively affect animal health and, consequently, the safety of the meat.
How Do These Actions Affect the Taste and Quality of European Beef?
These rigorous standards translate directly into the characteristics of the final product, which are appreciated by both chefs and consumers:
- Flavour: A balanced diet, based on high-quality, natural ingredients (such as grasses, grains, and legumes), allows the natural, rich flavours of the beef, characteristic of the breed, to fully develop.
- Structure and Tenderness: Properly nourished animals are a guarantee of optimal muscle tissue development, which has a direct impact on the tenderness and delicacy of the meat.
- Safety: Clean, strictly controlled feed is the most direct path to clean and safe meat, free from undesirable substances.
Quality You Can Trust
The scrupulous control over animal feed is an element of the European quality system that is invisible to the consumer but absolutely crucial. It is proof that the care for an excellent product begins at the very start—from the concern for what the animals eat. By choosing beef from Europe, business partners and consumers are choosing a product whose story of quality and safety begins at the feed stage!
Sources:
¹ European Commission’s page on Feed Safety: An official summary of the legislation and control systems for animal feed in the EU, including the principles of traceability and hygiene. https://food.ec.europa.eu/food-safety/animal-feed_en
² European Commission’s page on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Information on the EU’s strategy to combat AMR, including the ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters. https://health.ec.europa.eu/antimicrobial-resistance/eu-action-antimicrobial-resistance_en
