Meat Processing: Improving Quality (Woodhead Publishing Series in Food Science, Technology and Nutrition)

Meat is both a major food in its own right and a staple ingredient in many food products. With its distinguished editors and an international team of contributors, Meat processing reviews research on what defines and determines meat quality, and how it can be maintained or improved during processing.

Part one considers the various aspects of meat quality. There are chapters on what determines the quality of raw meat, changing views of the nutritional quality of meat and the factors determining such quality attributes as colour and flavour. Part two discusses how these aspects of quality are measured, beginning with the identification of appropriate quality indicators. It also includes chapters on both sensory analysis and instrumental methods including on-line monitoring and microbiological analysis. Part three reviews the range of processing techniques that have been deployed at various stages in the supply chain. Chapters include the use of modelling techniques to improve quality and productivity in beef cattle production, new decontamination techniques after slaughter, automation of carcass processing, high pressure processing of meat, developments in modified atmosphere packaging and chilling and freezing. There are also chapters on particular products such as restructured meat and fermented meat products.

With its detailed and comprehensive coverage of what defines and determines meat quality, Meat processing is a standard reference for all those involved in the meat industry and meat research.

• Reviews research on what defines and determines meat quality, and how it can be measured, maintained and improved during processing
• Examines the range of processing techniques that have been deployed at various stages in the supply chain
• Comprehensively outlines the new decontamination techniques after slaughter and automation of carcass processing

Prof. Joe P. Kerry is a senior college lecturer and head of the food packaging and material sciences group in the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences at University College Cork (UCC). He received his Doctorate in Microbiology at University College Galway in 1995. He then moved to the Department of Food Technology in UCC where he held several postdoctoral positions before being appointed as a College lecturer in 1999. Professor Kerry is a qualified member of the Institute of Packaging and a research member of AMBER. He is, and has been, very involved in national and international research projects both at fundamental and applied levels. Primary research interests address various aspects of general food processing and formulation, food packaging, shelf-life stability, food composition and numerous aspects of food quality, particularly in relation to muscle foods (meat, poultry and seafood) or plant-based analog products representing same. He also has very strong links with industry and his research team assists companies in relation to many aspects of new food product development. He has over 450 publications in peer-reviewed international journals, over 400 presentations at major international conferences, along with several other significant publications by way of edited books, book chapters and national reports. His expertise includes use and manipulation of packaging materials and systems for use with foods, use of extrusion technology for the manufacture of food products/packaging materials, applications and new technology developments within the area of food packaging throughout the distribution chain, especially in the field of smart packaging (active and intelligent systems) and the material sciences of packaging. Prof. Kerry is an editor for Food Packaging and Shelf-life, Packaging Technology and Science and an associate editor for Meat Science. He has served on boards and committees, both within and externally to UCC. Prof Kerry serves as the academic director for the Blás na hEireann - National Food Awards. He has served on the organizing and scientific committees for numerous scientific conferences.

Dr John F. Kerry is a Director and shareholder of Echo Ovens Ltd, Ireland. He is widely regarded for his work on value added Meats and related RTE processing technologies.

David A. Ledward is Emeritus Professor of Food Science at University of Reading and is the founding editor and Editor-in-Chief of the journal Meat Science.