Chapter 12 - Quality assurance schemes in major beef-producing countries

Abstract

Formal carcass classification standards or grading systems enable the trade of carcasses unseen. The vast majority of countries begun with classification systems solely designed to describe the carcass to the purchaser. In contrast, other grading schemes (such as the USDA classification) confer both a yield grade and a quality grade to each carcass. More recently, Australia has developed a unique grading system called Meat Standards Australia for individual muscles or cuts in interaction with the cooking method, which is being spread in different countries through the activity of the International 3G Foundation. Currently, there are many national and private quality schemes for retail beef related to origin, tradition, or eating quality, each with their own focus and methods of evaluating and describing carcasses and/or beef. This chapter aims to describe the current carcass grading systems and the current quality schemes for retail beef. It will conclude with future and emerging considerations, which are likely to influence quality assurance schemes in the future by dissemination of common guidelines.