Methodology

The Beef Score (Bench 2.0)

Fully algorithmic — no editor opinion. Eight axes, each a fixed 0–10 ladder computed deterministically from the company's claims, combined by weight: GRADE 26 · CLEAN (ABX/HORMONE/STEROID) 22 · GRASS-FED 12 · FINISH 8 · WELFARE 10 · DELIVERY 10 · PRICE ($/LB) 8 · AGING 4 (sums to 100). Grade replaces subjective "taste" — a self-claimed marketing grade like Choice-Plus counts, and ungraded is the floor. Clean blends antibiotics and hormones (added hormones in beef are growth steroids, so they're a single vector). Grass-fed and Finish are separate knobs, so grass-flavor fans and marbling fans can weight them differently. Delivery scores fresh vs frozen shipping; Price is strictly $/lb (delivery cost is shown, never mixed into price). Every axis is user-weightable — set your own and the board re-ranks by your score while still showing ours.

Evidence classes

SELF-CLAIMED — the company's own statements; we trust and mark them. USER-REPORTED — member observations and screenshots. THIRD-PARTY — independent evidence: certifier registries, accredited labs, journal articles, reputable reviewers. Verified third-party evidence has the largest score impact.

Color rules

n.n YELLOW — the score is computed algorithmically from the company's own self-reported claims (no independent verification yet). n.n GREEN — a super admin has canonized third-party research into the score. Color is confidence, not quality.

Canonization

v1 runs in owner-canon mode: research publishes with full provenance immediately; a super admin validates canonization; negative claims face a stricter bar than positive ones. All research is publicly visible whether or not it is factored into a score.

Community votes

Any verified member can up/down vote a company. Net is shown; voter identities are never shown or sold. Sort the board by VOTES for the community ranking.

Independence

Affiliate commissions never affect scores or ranks. Paid links are marked [PAID LINK]. We never sell ads or sponsorships to rated companies.