Safety and Quality Control in Meat Processing

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Meat".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 2861

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Interests: meat products; frozen meat; thawed drip; myofibrillar proteins; protein denaturation; protein oxidation; gelation; cryoprotection; meat microbiology; freshness; shelf-life
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
Interests: meat; meat science; meat processing; green technologies; meat flavor; safety of meat products; nutrition of meat products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Meat is inherently susceptible to spoilage, representing a perishable food commodity prone to microbial degradation and quality deterioration. The principal mechanisms that drive the spoilage of meat include the enzymatic breakdown of proteins and fats, triggering alterations in its organoleptic properties and aroma,  ultimately compromising its edibility and safety. Safety and quality control in meat processing is thus a paramount concern in the food industry, given the potential risks associated with microbial contamination, chemical hazards, and other factors that can compromise the safety and integrity of meat products. This Special Issue invites contributions that elucidate the intricacies of meat spoilage mechanisms, encompassing microbial activities, enzymatic reactions, and oxidative and denaturation processes. This Special Issue welcomes original research articles, reviews, and methodological papers that cover a broad spectrum of topics related to safety and quality control in meat processing. Contributions may encompass, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Microbiological safety measures in meat processing;
  • Enzymatic and biochemical aspects influencing meat quality;
  • Oxidative stability and lipid preservation in meat products;
  • Emerging technologies used for the real-time monitoring of meat freshness;
  • Advances in packaging techniques for an extended shelf life.

Dr. Yuemei Zhang
Dr. Changyu Zhou
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • meat products
  • meat quality
  • meat microbiology
  • freezing and thawing
  • preservation techniques
  • myofibrillar proteins
  • protein chemistry
  • heat-induced gelation
  • cryoprotection
  • shelf-life

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 1699 KiB  
Article
Vacuum Packaging Can Protect Ground Beef Color and Oxidation during Cold Storage
by Gabriela M. Bernardez-Morales, Savannah L. Douglas, Brooks W. Nichols, Ricardo J. Barrazueta-Cordero, Aeriel D. Belk, Terry D. Brandebourg, Tristan M. Reyes and Jason T. Sawyer
Foods 2024, 13(17), 2841; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13172841 - 7 Sep 2024
Viewed by 883
Abstract
Storing ground beef at frozen temperatures prior to refrigerated display when using thermoforming vacuum packaging is not a common manufacturing practice. However, limited data on thermoforming packaging film and its interaction with meat quality suggests that more information is needed. The current study [...] Read more.
Storing ground beef at frozen temperatures prior to refrigerated display when using thermoforming vacuum packaging is not a common manufacturing practice. However, limited data on thermoforming packaging film and its interaction with meat quality suggests that more information is needed. The current study aimed to identify the influences of thermoforming packaging on the surface color and lipid oxidation of ground beef. Ground beef was portioned into 454 g bricks and packaged into one of three thermoforming films: T1 (150 µ polyethylene/EVOH/polyethylene coextrusion), T2 (175 µ polyethylene /EVOH/polyethylene coextrusion), and T3 (200 µ polyethylene/EVOH/polyethylene coextrusion), stored for 21 days at −20.83 °C (±1.50 °C), and displayed for 42 days at 3.0 °C ± 1.5 °C. There were no statistical differences for the packaging treatment of lipid oxidation (p = 0.0744), but oxidation increased throughout storage day (p < 0.0001). The main effects of treatment and day resulted in altered (p < 0.05) surface lightness (L*), redness (a*), yellowness, hue angle (°), red-to-brown (RTB), and relative myoglobin for met-myoglobin (MET), deoxymyoglobin (DMB), and oxymyoglobin (OMB). Surprisingly, there was an interaction between treatment and day for the calculated relative values of chroma (p = 0.0321), Delta E (p = 0.0155), and the ratio of a*:b* (p < 0.0001). These results indicate that thermoforming vacuum packaging can reduce the rate of deterioration that occurs to ground beef color and the rate of oxidation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Quality Control in Meat Processing)
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16 pages, 739 KiB  
Article
Exploring Key Barriers of HACCP Certification Adoption in the Meat Industry: A Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory Approach
by Adriana Dima, Elena Radu and Cosmin Dobrin
Foods 2024, 13(9), 1303; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13091303 - 24 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1592
Abstract
Food safety management represents an important concern in contemporary society. The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system is a crucial tool for meat producers, preventing and controlling major food safety concerns in the process. This research investigates key barriers to HACCP implementation [...] Read more.
Food safety management represents an important concern in contemporary society. The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system is a crucial tool for meat producers, preventing and controlling major food safety concerns in the process. This research investigates key barriers to HACCP implementation in the meat industry, employing the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) model to identify and categorize these obstacles. Using the insights of 18 experts, a cause-and-effect relationship diagram is generated through which twelve barriers are categorized in terms of their cause and effect and then analyzed. Threshold value is calculated as 0.299. The findings reveal poor management as the primary impediment, followed by challenges in training, knowledge, and dedication. Categorizing the barriers into four groups emphasizes the critical role of effective management and human resources. The study contributes valuable insights to food safety management literature, serving as a practical resource for industry practitioners. Despite limitations in relying on expert opinions and the industry-specific focus, the research lays a foundation for informed decision-making, stressing the importance of effective management in successful HACCP implementation. Future research directions include diversifying geographical representation, exploring practical solutions, and integrating emerging technologies for a better understanding of HACCP adoption challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Quality Control in Meat Processing)
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