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Nutrition : Using the USDA Ground Beef Calculator

Using the USDA Ground Beef Calculator

When using the Ground Beef Calculator in order to view the nutrient information to include on your On-Pack Nutrition Labels, follow these simple steps:

  • Enter any fat content between 5% and 30% or any lean content between 70% and 95%.
  • Select the cooking method - always select "raw" to obtain the information you need to include on your labels for raw ground beef
  • On the next screen, select the "4 oz = 113 grams" option and click the "view report" button

Since it is never recommended that anyone ever eat raw ground beef, it is strongly suggested that you use dual-declaration on-pack nutrition labels on ground beef packages that you package in-store. To obtain the nutrient information for cooked ground beef, follow these simple steps:

  • Enter the appropriate fat content or lean content.
  • Select the cooking method - for cooked ground beef select "pan-broiled patty," as pan-broiling is a common cooking method for ground beef.
  • On the next screen, select the "3 oz = 85 grams" option and click the "view report" button

Here are examples of the information that will be displayed when you select a lean level of 93% or a fat level of 7% for both "raw" and "pan-broiled patty". Note the nutrients highlighted in yellow - those are the nutrients that you should call out on your labels. Note the nutrients highlighted in green (Selenium, Riboflavin and Niacin) - you should include these nutrients on your labels if you have room.  

Beef, ground,
93% lean meat / 7% fat,
raw		   Beef, ground,
93% lean meat / 7% fat,
cooked, pan-broiled
Nutrient Units 4 oz   Nutrient Units 3 oz
-------   -------
113 grams   85 grams
Proximates       Proximates    
Water g 81.1   Water g 55.5
Energy kcal 172   Energy kcal 154
Energy kj 720   Energy kj 645
Protein g 23.56   Protein g 21.73
Total lipid (fat) g 7.91   Total lipid (fat) g 6.81
Ash g 1.15   Ash g 0.92
Carbohydrate, by difference g 0   Carbohydrate, by difference g 0
Fiber, total dietary g 0   Fiber, total dietary g 0
Sugars, total g 0   Sugars, total g 0
Minerals       Minerals    
Calcium, Ca mg 11   Calcium, Ca mg 9
Iron, Fe mg 2.63   Iron, Fe mg 2.4
Magnesium, Mg mg 24   Magnesium, Mg mg 20
Phosphorus, P mg 217   Phosphorus, P mg 187
Potassium, K mg 380   Potassium, K mg 315
Sodium, Na mg 75   Sodium, Na mg 61
Zinc, Zn mg 5.62   Zinc, Zn mg 5.44
Copper, Cu mg 0.085   Copper, Cu mg 0.076
Manganese, Mn mg 0.012   Manganese, Mn mg 0.009
Selenium, Se mcg 19.3   Selenium, Se mcg 17.8
Vitamins       Vitamins    
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid mg 0   Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid mg 0
Thiamin mg 0.046   Thiamin mg 0.036
Riboflavin mg 0.18   Riboflavin mg 0.152
Niacin mg 6.017   Niacin mg 5.249
Pantothenic acid mg 0.704   Pantothenic acid mg 0.534
Vitamin B-6 mg 0.433   Vitamin B-6 mg 0.328
Folate, total mcg 6   Folate, total mcg 6
Folic acid mcg 0   Folic acid mcg 0
Folate, food mcg 6   Folate, food mcg 6
Folate, DFE mcg_DFE 6   Folate, DFE mcg_DFE 6
Choline, total mg 78   Choline, total mg 70.7
Vitamin B-12 mcg 2.52   Vitamin B-12 mcg 2.13
Vitamin A, IU IU 0   Vitamin A, IU IU 0
Vitamin A, RAE mcg_RAE 0   Vitamin A, RAE mcg_RAE 0
Retinol mcg 0   Retinol mcg 0
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) mg 0.34   Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) mg 0.31
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) mcg 0.6   Vitamin K (phylloquinone) mcg 0.9
Lipids       Lipids    
Fatty acids, total saturated g 3.359   Fatty acids, total saturated g 2.852
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated g 3.426   Fatty acids, total monounsaturated g 2.84
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated g 0.33   Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated g 0.285
Fatty acids, total trans g 0.519   Fatty acids, total trans g 0.323
Cholesterol mg 71   Cholesterol mg 67
Other       Other    
Alcohol, ethyl g 0   Alcohol, ethyl g 0
Caffeine mg 0   Caffeine mg 0
Theobromine mg 0   Theobromine mg 0
Carotene, beta mcg 0   Carotene, beta mcg 0
Carotene, alpha mcg 0   Carotene, alpha mcg 0
Cryptoxanthin, beta mcg 0   Cryptoxanthin, beta mcg 0
Lycopene mcg 0   Lycopene mcg 0
Lutein zeaxanthin mcg 0   Lutein zeaxanthin mcg 0


Sample Dual-Declaration Nutrition Facts Panel for Ground Beef

View more sample On-Pack Nutrition Labels

Beef is an excellent source of:

  • Zinc
  • Protein
  • Vitamin B12
  • Selenium

Beef is a good source of:

  • Iron
  • Niacin
  • Vitamin B6
  • Riboflavin
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