Harris Teeter Rolls Out USDA Certified Very Tender Program

Harris Teeter has become the first retailer in the country to offer U.S. Department of Agriculture-Certified Very Tender beef. Accordingly, the Matthews, N.C.-based grocer now offers at its stores Harris Teeter brand Reserve Angus beef with the USDA Certified Very Tender label.

"Harris Teeter's meat merchandising team has always been committed to offering its customers the best-quality products available, as well as helping them better understand the items sold in its Butchers Market," said Danna Jones, the Southeast grocer's communication specialist. "We are going above and beyond the norm to give our shoppers another measure of confidence they deserve when purchasing quality beef products. Our hope is that this label will help eliminate confusion at the meat case."

Reserve Angus Beef

Cargill Meat Solutions, the supplier of Harris Teeter’s private label Reserve Angus Beef, was the first processor to have its tender program certified by USDA. Cuts eligible for certification include ribeye, striploin, shortloin, tenderloin and top blade.

"Tenderness claims have been around for quite some time, but with that claim being certified by the USDA, consumers can trust that it’s the truth," noted Glen Dolezal, assistant VP of business development and communication for Wichita, Kan.-based Cargill Meat Solutions. "Under this program, our processes and standards pass several audits, including tenderness shear-force testing that meets the strict USDA Certified Very Tender standards."