By: Arthur Cook, Staff Member
In the United States, companies use carbon monoxide to enhance the color of meat.[1] This process keeps meat redder longer than it would otherwise. This process is banned in Japan,[2] Singapore,[3] and the European Union.[4] Such a practice has been deemed safe for human consumption in study[5] after study.[6]
The charge against such action is a concern that is masks spoilage; in other words, the product is so effective, it may hide the signs of decay.[7] However, the F.D.A. utilizes a system to detect spoilage based on
odor
, not color.[8] Still, fears linger about the process.
The flip side to this concern is an overall reduction in wasted meat. If meat, perfectly healthy to consumers, can remain on shelves longer, and the process by which this is achieved is harmless, there should be little incentive to challenge this. It is the most economically effective use of resources. This result could also be achieved through a massive public education campaign about why less-red meat is still fit for consumption, but here, such results may be achieved at no cost to the government and have a more environmentally-friendly impact.
______________________
[1] Julie Schmit,
Carbon monoxide keeps meat red longer; is that good?
,
USA Today (
Oct. 30, 2007, 10:34 PM), http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2007-10-30-kalsec-meat-carbon-monoxide_N.htm.
[2]
Proof in the Pink? Meat Treated to Give It Fresh Look
,
ABC News (
Nov. 14, 2007), http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Consumer/Story?id=3863064&page=1.
[3]
Carbon Monoxide in Meat Packaging: Myths and Facts
,
American Meat Institute (
March 2008), http://www.meatami.com/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/40141.
[4]
Proof in the Pink?
,
supra
note 2.
[5] E.U. Health & Consumer Protectorate Directorate,
Opinion of the Scientific Committee on the Use of Carbon Monoxide as component of packaging gases in modified atmosphere packaging for fresh meat
, (Dec. 18, 2001),
PDF available at
http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/scf/out112_en.pdf.
[6] S.J. Eilert,
New Packaging Technologies for the 21st Century
,
71 Meat Science 122 (
2005).
[7]
Id.
[8]
Id.