Vaccines and mRNA: Q&A

You’ve asked, and we’re here with the answer:
Will Grass Roots Farmers’ Cooperative be using mRNA vaccines on our livestock?

At Grass Roots Farmers’ Cooperative, transparency has always been at the heart of our operations. We’re committed to being as open and straightforward as possible when it comes to the animals we raise and the products we craft.

Q: Are you using mRNA vaccines on your livestock?

A: No, we are not vaccinating any of our animals with mRNA vaccines. Our livestock standards require that our farm operations team approve any medical treatment given to any animal—including any potential vaccination. There are no COVID 19 or any other mRNA vaccines on our approved list.

Q: Are you using other vaccines on your livestock?

A: Because animal health and wellness are of the utmost importance to us and because there are a lot of life-threatening diseases for pasture-raised animals, we encourage our farms to work with local vets and to vaccinate based on disease challenges in the area.

Q: Are mRNA vaccines already in use for cattle?

A: Currently, there are no mRNA vaccines licensed for use in beef cattle in the United States. However, research trials are ongoing to explore whether mRNA technology could be used to protect cattle from viruses, like avian influenza. While nothing has been approved yet, we are closely monitoring these developments to ensure we are up to date on the latest news in animal health which we will in turn relay to our customers should anything in our process change.

Q: Can mRNA vaccines transfer through food consumption?

A: In short, no. Ted Ross, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Georgia and director of the Center for Vaccines and Immunology said in an email, “It couldn’t be transferred.” He explained that mRNA vaccines have a very short duration in living organisms and degrade quickly. 

Even if you were to consume the vaccine directly, it would not work as it is intended. Cooking meat also deactivates the RNA, making it doubly impossible to ingest any mRNA through food. Gary Whittaker, a professor of virology at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, echoed this point, noting that the RNA is too unstable to survive in meat from a live animal—hence the need to store the vaccines in freezers.

Q: How can I avoid eating meat from animals that have been injected with mRNA vaccines?

A: Currently, there is one mRNA vaccine approved for use in pigs (which we are not using) but there are no other mRNA vaccines approved for livestock. It’s likely that continued development of mRNA vaccines for livestock would not require any special disclosure. The USDA’s certified organic standards allow for the use of traditional vaccines, and as mRNA is not classified as genetic modification, the non-GMO certification could also include mRNA-treated meat.

The best way to ensure that you’re avoiding any vaccines you don’t want in your food is to build a relationship with a farm or cooperative that is transparent about its practices. Look for farmers who are open and upfront about their values and the choices they make regarding animal health. 

Our Stance:

Our approach has always been about getting back to basics - focusing on helping animals build the healthiest and most resilient immune systems possible by giving them the good life out on pasture. We believe in taking a preventative approach by building immunity the old-fashioned way - through sunshine, fresh air, and space for our animals to be actual chickens, cows, bison, pigs, and sheep - a method backed by scientific studies showing that pasture-raised animals develop stronger immune systems.

So every time you choose pastured meat from farms like ours, you’re supporting farms that don’t need experimental measures because we’re not creating the conditions for disaster in the first place.