Video summary

10 US Ground Beef Brands That Don’t Use 100% BEEF (And 8 That Do)

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News and Commentary

Overview

The video argues that many Americans unknowingly buy ground beef that isn’t truly “100% beef” in a practical sense. It attributes this to regulatory loopholes and limited supply-chain transparency.

A central focus is the USDA’s December 2018 reclassification of a product made from beef trimmings that are spun and treated with ammonia. After reclassification, the product can legally be sold as “ground beef” without label changes. As a result, shoppers may see “ground beef” (or minimal labels like “all natural”) yet still receive meat products that include lean finely textured beef (LFTB)—a common ingredient used to make cheaper ground beef.

Main “avoid” themes and brand-specific claims

1) “Ground beef” vs. “beef patties” wording

The host claims that federal rules treat the labels differently:

  • Products labeled “ground beef” cannot include certain additives/extenders (e.g., added water, phosphates, binders, extenders).
  • Changing the wording to “beef patties” removes those restrictions, which the host says allows more ingredient flexibility.

2) Lack of transparency affects verification and risk

The video emphasizes that processors/suppliers are often undisclosed, making it harder to confirm:

  • ingredient composition (including whether LFTB is present)
  • traceability and accountability in case of contamination

It suggests the 2018 labeling ambiguity worsened this problem.

3) “Big processors” are tied to broader legal scrutiny

The video connects low prices and industry concentration to a May 2026 Department of Justice criminal antitrust investigation, naming major companies (described as collectively controlling a large share of fed cattle purchases).

Worst / serious “avoid” brands (as presented)

  1. #10 Bubba Burgers Marketed as “beef patties” rather than “ground beef,” which the video claims legally allows more ingredients than “ground beef” labeling permits. Flavored variants are also said to include additional components (e.g., modified starches/soy/dextrose).

  2. #9 Good & Gather (Target) Despite a “ground beef” label that appears simple, the video argues that post-2018 rules mean it doesn’t guarantee the absence of ammonia-treated trimmings/LFTB. It also criticizes non-disclosed sourcing facilities, citing Consumer Reports testing as showing bacterial variability by processor.

  3. #8 Sam’s Club Members Mark Similar transparency concerns. The video also links aggressive low pricing to a supply chain under federal criminal antitrust review, and says there’s no confirmation/denial regarding LFTB.

  4. #7 IBP (Trusted Excellence / Iowa Beef Processors) Framed as essentially Tyson due to history/ownership. The brand’s “trusted” messaging is described as misleading given industry consolidation and Tyson’s recall history cited by the host (including a 2022 recall involving reflective material).

  5. #6 Cedar River Farms (JBS brand) The video highlights JBS recall history and references multi-drug-resistant salmonella illnesses (including the 2018 Tolleson recall expansion). It also frames JBS as foreign-owned and references a USDA official describing JBS as a food security concern.

  6. #5 Kroger store-brand ground beef Cites a Consumer Reports-triggered USDA recall for E. coli O157:H7. It also references Kroger’s public statements from the 2012 “pink slime” era acknowledging versions with/without LFTB—implying typical store-brand ground beef may align with the ammonia-treated version.

  7. #4 Great Value (Walmart) Presented as Cargill-processed beef. The video cites Cargill recalls for E. coli O157:H7 and earlier E. coli O26 outbreak-related issues.

  8. #3 Cargill “All Natural” ground beef Claims “all natural” under USDA definitions only indicates minimal processing/no artificial ingredients, but does not exclude antibiotics/hormones or LFTB. The video also says the same label appeared on products tied to E. coli outbreaks/recalls.

  9. #2 JBS and Swift Premium Cites multiple JBS recall events and alleges delayed distribution information via lawsuit claims. It also mentions bribery/corruption penalties against JBS’s parent company, tying this to a low-trust view of the broader supply chain.

  10. #1 Store-ground “fresh” counter beef (no EST number) The video’s top “avoid” recommendation is not a specific brand, but the purchasing method: ground beef produced in-store. It argues these products often lack a USDA establishment number (EST), reducing federal traceability and making contamination tracking harder.

“Passed” brands: what the video says makes them safer / more accountable

The host shifts from criticizing labeling tactics to highlighting verifiable safeguards, such as:

  • USDA organic rules
  • third-party auditing
  • explicit company commitments
  • single-farm processing control
  • certification-based ingredient exclusions

Brands/retailers mentioned

  1. #8 365 by Whole Foods Market (Organic line) The key claim is structural: USDA organic standards prohibit ammonia as a processing aid, which the video says excludes LFTB linked to that step. It also claims no antibiotics/hormones and audited organic feed requirements.

  2. #7 Laura’s Lean Presented as one of the few brands with strong verification: “beef” only in the ingredient list, no antibiotics/hormones, and third-party auditing/USDA Process Verified participation.

  3. #6 Organic Prairie USDA-certified organic cooperative brand. The video claims strong constraints: no LFTB due to organic processing rules; no antibiotics/synthetic hormones; audited farms; and no “lower grade” tiering to hit prices.

  4. #5 Grass Run Farms Marketed as grass-fed/grass-finished with American Grassfed Association certification requiring animals eat only grass/forage (no grain finishing), plus yearly audits. The host advises checking the EST number because at one point some product was processed via JBS’s network (though the arrangement is said to have ended).

  5. #4 White Oak Pastures Presented as the most traceable “single chain” option: one farm controls pasture-to-processing (farm-owned USDA-inspected abattoir). The video claims independent verification for regenerative practices (Savory Institute) and references a life-cycle assessment related to carbon footprint.

  6. #3 H-E-B Framed as strong due to explicit public commitments: during the 2012 “pink slime” controversy, H-E-B states its ground beef is 100% pure with no additives, and processes much through its own facilities to reduce reliance on outside processors.

  7. #2 Publix The video emphasizes repeated public statements that Publix never allowed LFTB. It also credits Publix’s processing facility with reducing dependence on a concentrated supplier network.

  8. #1 Costco Kirkland Signature Called the best overall because Costco publicly states it does not use LFTB. The video cites a named executive, Craig Wilson, and frames it as affordable without a large premium while remaining accountable via a public, consistent commitment.

Practical “what to look for” checklist (as the video concludes)

  • Check whether the label says “beef patties” vs “ground beef” (the video claims “patties” can allow ingredients prohibited under “ground beef” labeling).
  • Look for a USDA EST establishment number; absence (often with in-store ground beef) implies weaker federal traceability.
  • Be skeptical of too-low prices relative to claimed “honest” ingredients, since prices may reflect practices in the same concentrated supply chain under criminal review.
  • Treat “all natural” as largely marketing; the video says it doesn’t meaningfully exclude LFTB.
  • Prefer brands/retailers with verifiable commitments, such as organic certification rules, third-party auditing, or named public statements.

Presenters or contributors mentioned

  • Craig Wilson (Costco vice president of quality assurance) — quoted for the LFTB exclusion statement.
  • Brooke Rollins (USDA Secretary) — cited in relation to threats/foreign ownership concerns (JBS), in named context.
  • Todd Blancho / Todd Blanche (subtitles noted as “Todd Blanched”) — acting Attorney General referenced regarding DOJ antitrust investigation documents reviewed.
  • Will Harris (White Oak Pastures) — referenced as fourth-generation owner.
  • ABC News — referenced as the outlet that broke the “pink slime” story and where Costco’s executive appeared.
  • Consumer Reports — referenced for testing results and triggering recalls.
  • HEB Butt family / Butt family — referenced as owners since 1905 (no individual named).

Other entities mentioned were referenced as organizations rather than specific on-camera contributors: USDA, DOJ, JBS, Tyson, Cargill, Walmart, Kroger, Target, Sam’s Club, Organic Valley, Sprouts, Savory Institute, and the American Grassfed Association.

Original video