what's sizzlin' now

Welcome to Beef Information Centre's (BIC) web site. For more than 20 years, BIC has been providing consumers with information on beef -- selection, cooking, recipes, storage, food safety, nutrition, industry facts and figures -- you name it and we can usually find it.

Parlez-vous fran�ais?

BIC is now bilingual on the Web with the introduction of our French site. Now the first option when logging on is a choice of the English or French homepage. French visitors can choose to explore the meat counter where they can find all the cuts of beef arranged by the new naming system for beef along with the preparation method and links to recipes. Or they can go directly to the Recipe Centre for a quick meal idea with beef. A Publications Centre is also available to order materials.

Eight New Recipes Just in Time for the Holidays

Check out the Recipe Centre where you will find eight brand new recipes with photos to savour the Holidays. Four of the new recipes are perfect for your entertaining needs over the holiday and the other four will provide easy and delicious last minutes meals for the family during this busy season. Look for the "New" flash to spot these recent additions.

New Names for Beef Cuts

BIC works with all sectors of the beef industry to make beef selection and preparation less confusing and more convenient. In the February 98, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency approved the use of new names for beef cuts designed to take some of the confusion out purchasing beef. The new naming system has three elements: new cut names that incorporate the cooking method into the anatomical name, cooking instruction stickers on every package of beef, and counter layout arranged by cooking method.

Consumer research shows that three out of four shoppers do not use the current beef cut names as a basis on which to select beef cuts. And the anatomical system does little to help consumers match an appropriate cooking method to the selected cut. To see how this new system works, visit How to Buy and Cook the Best and determine for yourself if we have taken the mystery out of the meatcase.

Although the new naming system is voluntary, many major chains and independent stores have embraced the system and are, or will be implementing the new system. The new naming system was developed in cooperation with all sectors of the Canadian beef industry. A committee with representatives from the Beef Information Centre, the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors (CCGD), Consumers' Association of Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Canadian Meat Council conducted extensive consumer and proposed this simple, cost effective solution to address consumer confusion at the meat case.

To receive a free booklet explaining the new naming system, including cooking instructions, click on our Publication Centre and order from our selection of free materials.

New Nutrition Info and Quizzes.

Our Nutrition site, Your Body Loves Beef, offers beef nutrition data along with a fun quiz to test your fat IQ. We have added a new section which shows how you can make simple substitutions throughout the day to greatly reduce fat in your diet.

Questions and more questions. Over the years the BIC staff have received some challenging questions. Such as "Which side does a cow sleep on?" This particular caller was purchasing a side of beef and did not want to buy the tough side that the cow slept on. We explained how tenderness was related to the type of cut and the degree of aging rather than the cow's sleeping practices. Visit "So What's Your Beef" for some of the most frequently asked questions. And if you have a question that is not answered on this website, email it to [email protected] or, for a personal response the Beef information Centre has offices across the country.

The Beef Industry is very diverse--cattle numbers, consumption stats, marketings--and many more fact and figures. The corporate profile outlines who we are, how we are funded and where we can be found. We touch on some quick facts and link you to other web sites within the industry.