Nutrition labels for cuts of beef

Wondering which cuts of beef are the leanest? Check the label. The labels on cuts of beef are considered nutrition claims, so they're subject to government regulations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates whether cuts of beef can be labeled as "lean" or "extra lean" based on their fat and cholesterol content.

Lean cuts of beef

The USDA defines a lean cut of beef as a 3.5-ounce serving (about 100 grams) that contains less than:

• 10 grams total fat
• 4.5 grams saturated fat
• 95 milligrams cholesterol

Extra-lean cuts of beef

The USDA defines an extra-lean cut of beef as a 3.5-ounce serving (about 100 grams) that contains less than:

• 5 grams total fat
• 2 grams saturated fat
• 95 milligrams cholesterol

Note that you might see grades of beef (Prime, Choice and Select) on meat packages. Beef grading is a voluntary program that manufacturers can use to judge the perceived quality of their products. Beef grades are not the same as the "lean" and "extra lean" labels.