AID OF SCIENCE

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 18764, 20 December 1935, Page 2

AID OF SCIENCE

CHILLED BEEF TRADE. PORK AND BAOON REBEAROH. DEPARTMENT'S ANNUAL REPORT. .Special interest is attached to the annual report of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research because of the prominence given to the chilled meat trade, a trade which is assuming considerable importance to the Dominion and which is proving of particular significance to (he Waikato. Reference is also made to the research into pork and bacon, another portion of the report which is of interest to Waikato farmers. The elaborate care taken at killing works when handling carcases for the chilled meat trade to ensure the utmost cleanliness is described and conveys some idea of the great care necessary if the export of chilled meat is to reach any degree of success.

“ During the year the department has taken an active part in connection with the shipments of chilled beef from various freezing works," remarks the report. “This work consisted in the checking of the means of preventing bacterial and fungal infection of the beef on the killing-floor, and prior to wrapping, the recording of the conditions of temperature and humidity during cooling and in transit to port; the checking-up of the instruments for indication of the carbon-dioxide content and temperature of the atmosphere in the holds during ocean transit.

These data are used In relation to the interpretation of the condition of the beef on arrival in the United Kingdom as regards bloom and quality as estimated by the officers of the Low Temperature Research Station in conjunction with the Meat Board. From the results of this work the best conditions of treatment arc gradually being evolved, although much remains to be done in regard to the effects of various strains of bacteria and fungi which vary in growth rate at any given temperature.

Reputation Must Be Maintained'

“ In general, the essential need before the Dominion is the maintenance of its reputation for producing high quality meat, and every means of promoting quality must be exploited. The growth of the chilled beef industry whicli has developed largely from the research work of the Cambridge Low Temperature Research Station, makes it imperative that attention be devoted to the breeding of suitable types of beef animals in New Zealand, to highly efficient scientific control of factory, and to transport facilities, so that a ready demand will continue for our beef.

" In addition to this, investigation at the station and In New Zealand have revealed that equally close attention has to be devoted to the hygienio conditions of slaughter and handling and storage at the works in New Zealand If continuity of quality and condition were to be maintained and good prices secured at Smithfleld. Attention of the station is also being devoted, following our request, to the best methods of packing, storage, and transport of edible meat offals such as kidneys, livers etc. Flavours in meat caused by oxidation changes proceeding in fats are receiving attention, and this work has a particular bearing upon New Zealand meat on account of the long period which it remains in transport and thereby afforded an opportunity for the development of flavours.

Pork and Bacon. “ In regard to pork and bacon the research work in progress possesses a wide significance in connection with our growing pig industry. A few years ago when the question of export of bacon from New Zealand was receiving consideration, ibis was considered io be out of the question because of deterioration of the fat during transport. Now the maintenance of bacon in an atmosphere of pure car-bon-dioxide gas indicates that this trouble can be overcome, though it Is not yet fully practicable. Further, the, fact' that high-quality bacon can be manufactured from New Zealand frozen pork has been demonstrated beyond question, and this has enabled New Zealand to find a place In the bacon market of Great Britain. The Importance of the cold-storage Investigations on meat to New Zealand is indicated by the fact that, in general, New Zealand chilled beef brings an Increase in price of id a pound in Great Britain, and if the Dominion fills its quota of chilled beef the increased value of chilled beef over frozen beef will reach a total of the order of £50,000 per annum." The report adds that the Cambridge Low Temperature Research Station is one of fho three research stations maintained by Hie Food Investigation Board attached lo the British Department. of Scientific and Industrial Research, and on which New Zealand is represented. The other 'Stations are Dillon, where there is an experimental ship's hold for carrying out, refrigeration and dunnage trials, and Aberdeen, where problems of refrigeration and storage of OsJi are invcsligaled. The total eost of the work is £50,000 per annum, of which New Zealand eoniriliuled last year £3ooo—lnwards which Hie Meat, Board made a grant, of £1250, the Fruit Board £4OO, and tho Dairy Board £2OO, and Ihe New Zealand Government £llsO. The work of Hie Food Investigation Board has undoubtedly helped considerably in Improving conditions of storage and transport, so that our produce is now arriving on the British market in a condition more nearly approaching its pristine freshness.