ANIMAL DISTINCTION
While the term bison and buffalo are commonly interchanged, they reference different animal types.
· All Certified Bison are verified by unique physical characteristics, and verified in shipping and receiving documents.
· Bison are North American grown animals.
· The Certified Bison stamp ensures products are only North American bison meat. The use of Buffalo as product or as a term to reference Bison is prohibited.
RANCHING AND ANIMAL WELFARE
Bison quality begins on the ranch. All Certified Bison ranches must maintain regenerative agriculture practices with pasture-raised animals, grain-finished, and handlers meet strict, nationally recognized animal welfare standards.
SPECIFICS INCLUDE:
· Certified Bison must meet established national animal welfare standards as outlined in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) Method of Livestock Act. In addition, Certified Bison ranchers recognize and adopt the practices outlined in the National Farm Animal Care Council.
· Animal stress has long been found to affect meat quality. Certified Bison animals endure limited human interaction, to ensure a generally “happy” animal.
· Feed is critical to the quality of the final product. Certified Bison can roam and enjoy a free choice-feeding program to ensure the entire herd is well nourished. Certified Bison must follow a strict feed protocol, that starts with quality forages and the free choice feed. All Bison must be vegetarian fed (no animal by-products).
· The Never Ever Promise. Certified Bison are not treated with antibiotics, or hormones of any kind, ensuring a clean, quality product with the sweet robust taste of pure bison. Sick animals treated with antibiotics for animal welfare purposes are removed from the Certified Bison program.
PROCESSING STANDARDS
Processing and food safety measures are the crux of the research that defines Certified Bison. We compromise nothing when it comes to the quality. Food safety is paramount to the Certified Bison commitment.
KEY ELEMENTS INCLUDE:
· The Certified Bison stamp ensures products are correctly labeled as “bison”, so consumers know they are buying a North American product. The use of the word buffalo to reference bison is prohibited.
· Adhere to Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) food safety and animal welfare standards. Must have USDA certification.
· Global Food Safety Initiative Certified (GFSI) .
· All whole muscle cuts will be sourced from youthful animals, with roast or steak cuts prepared by hand cutting and trimming only.
· Comprehensive E.coli testing protocols with extensive test and hold processes.
· Meat chilled exclusively by air, not liquid.
· Processing integration with no cold chain break.
