Walk through a U.S. supermarket and words like “farm-raised,” “natural,” or American flags on meat packaging can create the image of a small family farm. But the reality can be very different. Much of America’s meat supply comes from highly industrialized operations, and terms such as “farm-raised” can sound more meaningful than they actually are. A factory farm can still legally be considered a farm, making the packaging easy to misunderstand.

There has also been controversy surrounding the “Product of USA” label. Under the newer USDA voluntary standard, meat can use the official claim only when the animal was born, raised, harvested and processed in the United States. However, because the claim is voluntary, meat without that label can still be sold without prominently stating its full origin on the front of the package. Consumers therefore need to look beyond flags and patriotic imagery when checking where their food comes from.

Another important issue is industrial processing. Ground beef and other products can combine meat from numerous animals and processing sources, making the supply chain far more complex than a package might suggest. Some meat products may also use modified-atmosphere packaging, including permitted low levels of carbon monoxide, to help maintain a red appearance. And despite growing discussion about lab-grown meat, cultivated meat is not secretly replacing ordinary supermarket meat and must be appropriately identified when sold.

So what should shoppers actually look for? Instead of relying on phrases like “farm-raised,” check for specific origin information and recognized independent certifications such as Certified Humane or Global Animal Partnership (GAP). The biggest lesson is simple: don’t judge meat by the picture on the package. Read the small print, check the certification, and find out exactly where your food comes from.