Americans want tender meat. Minnesota-based Hormel Foods has responded to this desire and its product line "soft" product. Consumers have so favorable a response to these products, Hormel is to add more. The meat is tender?
The two main bromelain and papain are softened, according to the Enzyme Development Corporation. Bromelain comes from pineapple stumps and roots. Papain comes from papaya trees. "The main application of tenderizer on the market todayBeef, "the company says." A recent field of fish and seafood. The products, which are treated calamari (squid), mussels and other seafood very hard and durable. "
Food labels to say whether the product was brittle. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards established label and are listed on the site. The word "fresh" should not be used to inject "any, basted, marinated poultry, poultry meat or edible part of any part of, to describe the temperature in which the internalalways been below 25 degrees Fahrenheit. "
During the freeze, many products are covered by ice. The question is: how much? Some frozen chicken breasts are 25% water, a high percentage. Think before you buy. The chicken breast shrinks and disappears as a cook a quarter of the purchase price. Check the water content of the ham, and packages to prevent exchange of water.
The USDA defines the self-anointed and stapling products than those that are "injectedor butter, cooking fat, broth, soup, water, spices and marinades "other prohibited substances." Wow, that's a lot of stuff. What are the other approved agents, you ask? The processor is not required to tell you.
It is interesting to note that the term "chemical free" can not be used on any label. Most of the entries listed on the label are easy to understand. Not so with "Advance meat meat / bone separation and recovery of meat." In 1994 the USDA changed its definition of meatProducts "advanced meat / bone separation machinery derivatives."
Which can, if the USDA approves the addition of bone material to have hot dogs. But the USDA says the meat and bone meal is not separating machines grind, crush or pulverize bones and "edible tissues and bones must emerge essentially intact." Say again?
If you buy tender meat for enzymes, flavorings, salt, and often paying for MSG and soy protein. Even consumers who love the tender meat, you may need to be careful.If you are salt-sensitive and allergic to soy, or have a severe reaction to MSG, it is necessary to protect themselves.
1 Read every word on every label.
2 buy food, "minimally processed".
3 Check the size of portions. There is a "normal" size or if you want to eat more?
4 How much salt is in a serving?
5 What is the percentage of water added?
Wise consumers should buy products that have no artificial ingredients or added color. Call the USDA Meat and PoultryHotline at 1-888-674-6854 for more information at http://www.fsis.usda.gov or e-mail your questions.
Copyright 2007 by Harriet Hodgson
