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PROTECTIVE PACKAGING MATERIALS FOR FRESH BEEF SHIPMENTS
Author(s) -
REA R. H.,
SMITH G. C.,
CARPENTER Z. L.,
HOKE K. E.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
journal of food science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1750-3841
pISSN - 0022-1147
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2621.1972.tb02740.x
Subject(s) - moisture , polyethylene , polyvinyl chloride , environmental science , plastic bag , weight loss , food science , pulp and paper industry , toxicology , shrinkage , waste management , chemistry , materials science , composite material , biology , engineering , obesity , endocrinology
Five test shipments were conducted involving 98,000 lb of beef quarters and primal cuts transported 270–1350 mi and requiring from 19–120 hr intransit. Trailer temperatures were affected by loading patterns, product densities, positions of palletized product or paper partitions, thermostat settings and air conveyance systems and correspondingly, the temperature conditions observed were generally inadequate for maintenance of beef quality. The use of polyethylene bags or poly vinyl chloride film significantly (P < .05) reduced intransit shrinkage as compared to unprotected cuts in 7 of 16 comparisons. Considerations of costs for materials, package application and removal and the monetary value of reduced weight loss suggest that the concept is economically feasible from the standpoint of savings in weight loss alone. Beef protected by polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride exhibited more desirable lean color and subcutaneous fat cover scores at shipment destination in comparison to beef which was unprotected during transit. Although bacterial counts did not generally differ among treatments, the surfaces of cuts protected by plastic materials were more moist than corresponding surfaces on unprotected cuts. Since increased moisture is conducive to enhanced microbial growth, prolonged storage in the plastic packaging materials should be avoided. No compensatory weight loss was observed during subsequent cooler storage after protective packaging materials were removed.