Supporting Accurate Nutrient Data for Beef
Nutrient Data Improvement Project updates and expands nutrient data available for beef cuts to reflect today’s more closely trimmed, diverse options and to reflect the continuously evolving beef supply.
January 21, 2026
by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Every day, Americans rely on nutrient data to shape their understanding of the foods they choose and how to make the best decisions for their health. Whether reading a Nutrition Facts label, browsing a recipe online, using a health app, or following dietary advice from experts, accurate nutrition information is essential to ensure consumers have the resources they need to make informed decisions for their health and well-being.
When it comes to beef, accurate, up-to-date nutrient composition data is critical to reflect today’s wholesome and nutritious beef supply. That’s why the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, led the Nutrient Data Improvement Project — a multiyear, multiphase, science-backed initiative in collaboration with USDA and nutrition and meat science academic partners at leading research institutions, including Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Colorado State University.
The goal of the Nutrient Data Improvement Project was to update and expand the nutrient data available for beef cuts to reflect today’s more closely trimmed, diverse options and to reflect the continuously evolving beef supply. The data collected and analyzed included detailed information on beef’s comprehensive nutrient profile such as total protein, individual amino acids, fat and fatty acids, cholesterol, as well as essential vitamins and minerals like iron; zinc; selenium; choline; B vitamins; and vitamins A, D, E and K. Data collection also included beef cut moisture content and moisture loss in cooking, which was also analyzed to calculate USDA cooking yield data, which helps consumers to calculate the amount of beef to purchase to feed their crowd.
Each of these nutrient data components contributes to accurately reporting beef’s nutrient density, which is foundational for communicating beef’s nutritional advantages. Without updated and accurate beef nutrient data that is representative of the retail market, the industry’s advancements in nutrition science risks being overlooked or even miscommunicated in nutrition labeling, dietary guidance and public health communications.
“Lean meat cuts such as strip steak, top sirloin and 93% lean ground beef, provide high-quality protein, iron, vitamin B12, zinc and other essential nutrients. These foods can play a valuable role in a balanced, health-promoting eating pattern,” says Michelle Cardel, registered dietitian and chief nutrition officer at WeightWatchers. “By expanding our ZeroPoint Foods list in December 2024 to include these nutrient-dense options, and by grounding our decisions in the USDA’s latest nutrient data, we’re helping our millions of WeightWatchers members enjoy lean beef without the need to track, weigh or measure — making it easier to choose smart, satisfying protein options with confidence.”
The use of nationally representative, scientifically validated beef nutrient analysis data, made available through USDA’s publicly available dataset known as FoodData Central, is far-reaching and serves as an authoritative source of data for:
- Beef Checkoff cross-functional programming
- USDA and FDA food labeling
- Clinical nutrition guidance
- Menu innovation and nutrition information
- Nutrition and health research
- Online health and wellness platforms and apps
- Nutrition education programs for school foodservice, extension and community nutrition programs
“Without the beef nutrient data research and analysis, consumers today would have obsolete nutrition information on beef,” says Heather Buckmaster, executive director of the Oklahoma Beef Council. “Consumers love beef for its taste, and this work showed they could also love it for the nutrient-rich role it can play in a healthy diet.”
Checkoff dollars are working hard to ensure beef is accurately represented in the national conversation about nutrition. Investments in the Nutrient Data Improvement Project is delivering trusted, science-based data that supports beef’s role in a healthy diet. This data is now being used by health professionals, retailers, researchers and millions of consumers, helping them choose beef with confidence by reinforcing beef’s nutritional value.
Editor’s note: [Lead photo by Niloo138 from Getty Images.]
Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, Vol. 18, No. 1-B
Topics: Consumer , Marketing , Management , Nutrition , Meat Science
Publication: Angus Beef Bulletin
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