BONED BEEF TRIALS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20635, 15 August 1941, Page 3

BONED BEEF TRIALS

N.Z. SHIPMENTS ENCOURAGING REPORT Ten tons of boned beef, sent to Great Britain from New Zealand as a trial shipment, were examined by the Low Temperature Research Station at Cambridge University, and an encouraging report has been sent to the New Zealand Government. The Ministry of Food has not, so far, indicated whether further shipments would be welcomed. The meat was sent in two shipments of five tons each. One consignment, prepared by Messrs. W. and R. Fletcher. Limited, of Westfield, reached England in six weeks. It comprised roasting and stewing meat and suet. Of the nine types of trial containers in Which it was packed, the heavy grade sisalkraft, with wax paper lining, proved to be the best from many points of view. The second consignment, prepared by Messrs. T. Borthwick and Son, Limited, was three months in transit, and as a result of this longer period several of the containers were damaged. The meat was not greatly affected. The consignments were subsequently sent to military camps, and reports were made by the messing officers. Some of the difficulties commented on have been met, very largely, by the suggestions of the Low TemperatureStation. Boned beef has obvious advantages under the present restricted shipping conditions, one of the most important facts being, of course, that the removal of the bone represents a saving in space of 25 per cent. Other advantages are that the “fibrecn” packing, which comprises heavy grade bituminous-lined paper, prevents the meat from becoming conlaminated, as well as stopping “freezer burn,” which may be caused when meat comes into contact with frosted surfaces. It wall also. retain Its hardened-condition longer than bagged beef under the same atmospheric conditions.