What does the “certified” mean in certified Angus beef?
The American Angus Association certifies cattle that meet its standards (mostly having to do with how much fat is there, as well as some other characteristics of the animal.) They don’t actually do DNA testing, but they have certain other ways of measuring the animal to ascertain that its heritage is Black Angus. You can read the detailed requirements at the link below. The actual grading is done by the USDA, whose graders are paid to inspect the meat. (The farmer pays a fee for that.) The name Certified Angus Beef is a registered trademark, so when you see it, the meat does meet certain minimum requirements, which should make it particularly tasty. Sources: http://www.angus.org/pubs/faqs.
