Process ‘could save ailing meat; industry’

Press, 12 April 1988, Page 29

Process ‘could save ailing meat; industry’

PA Wellington A meat tenderising process developed in the United' States could save New 'Zealand’s ailing meat industry, according to the developer’s New Zealand agent.

New! Zealand research into -the process will be funded by the United States-based Meat Purification Service [Corporation with the equipment expected to arrive within thejiext two months. Representatives of the company have met Government officials, the meat industry ! and researchers.

The process involved flushing oul slaughtered animals’ blood, leaving the meat tender and with enhanced taste, said the corporation’s president, Dr Douglas Bernhardt. Shrinkage in cooking was reduced and there was no greasy aftertaste to the meat.

A joint-venture agreement has been negotiated with a Wanganui-based company, Pexco Inter-

national, to supply the equipment in New Zealand.

Dr Bernhardt said the American company would fund research j by the Meat Industry Research Institute of New Zealand into the suitability of the process for sheepmeat.

Pexco’s managing director, Mr Cameron Campion, said the process represented a tremendous opportunity for New Zealand to add to the value of exports. It was particularly relevant with exports to Islamic countries which required bloodless animals for religious festivals. A lot of time had been spent removing blood from outside the carcase but not inside, he said.

Mr Campion had made three trips to the United States in an effort to get the research to New Zealand.

The technology could be easily fitted into pro-

cessing plants and would have! other spin-offs for the industry [besides tenderising meat, Dr Bernhardt said.

: Hides were easier to remove and less likely to be damaged and the temperature of the carcase was lowered so that savings (were also made on chilling costs.

Dr | Bernhardt said the process left no harmful residue in the meat. The substances used are found naturally in foods such as apples, honey, grapes and milk.

; A nozzle of solution was placed in the animal’s main! artery at the point of slaughter and removed once the blood was flushed out. The corporation’s chairman, Mr Guillernio Matheu, said meat companies would not have to purchase the equipment but pay a small percentage of the added valhe they achieved to the corporation.