Understanding Beef Quality Grades

Meat grading is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Beef quality grades indicate palatability characteristics such as tenderness, juiciness and flavor. Unlike inspection, grading is optional and paid for by meat processors. More than half of the beef available is graded.

There are eight quality grades for beef however, only three grades are identified and sold to restaurants and at retail (Prime, Choice, and Select).

U.S. Beef Quality Standards

All meat that is sold commercially must, by law, pass food safety inspection. Meat processing facilities follow rigorous state and federal food safety standards to ensure only safe, high-quality meat enters the food supply. Meat products are among the most highly regulated and supervised products in the food supply.