Meat Processing Sector Research Articles

Halal food sustainable traceability framework for the meat processing industry

Purpose This study aims to propose a framework for Halal Food Sustainable Traceability, with the purpose of investigating the implementation of traceability and sustainability within organizations operating in the halal food industry as well as exploring the impact of these practices on organizational performance. This study examines the meat processing sector in Indonesia, focusing on medium to large-scale industrial operations. The rationale for this investigation stems from Indonesia’s substantial potential in the competitive worldwide halal food industry. Design/methodology/approach The research framework has been developed by an extensive review of relevant literature, with a specific emphasis on the cycle of the halal food sustainable traceability framework. This cycle encompasses four key stages, including the roles played by authorities, the process of standardization, the implementation phase and the importance of collaboration. The study analyses and validates data using partial least square-structural equation modeling and empirically tests the theoretical framework using 109 Indonesian halal food industry data. Findings The research identifies potential obstacles and difficulties that may arise during different phases of the halal food sustainable traceability framework. Concerns regarding authority, standardization, implementation and collaboration are among these. In addition, strategies for overcoming these obstacles are deliberated upon, including knowledge sharing, transparency, ongoing reporting and strategic collaboration. Originality/value The present study introduces a Halal Sustainable Traceability Framework that incorporates the principles of halal, traceability, sustainability and their effects on organizational performance. This study offers significant perspectives on the difficulties and resolutions pertaining to the traceability and sustainability of halal food in Indonesia.

Production of meat and processed products in the conditions of technological modernization of agro-industrial complex of the East Kazakhstan region

Goal - the current situation and promising directions for the development of meat industry in the East Kazakhstan region are considered, and limiting factors for its growth are identified. During the research process, in the context of a comprehensive analysis, calculationconstructive, statistical-economic, expert, and monographic methods were used. Results – an assessment of the main parameters of livestock complex and meat processing sector in the Eastern region over the past five years is presented. Based on the results of the study, it was revealed that there are positive changes in meat sector, but overall production is not efficient enough. The authors note the lack of raw materials and high cost of raw materials. Food imports occupy a significant place, and small-scale production of farms leads to decrease in the competitiveness of goods produced. Conclusions – the results of the study made it possible to substantiate the most optimal directions for increasing the volume of meat product subcomplex and expanding meat products market through effective government regulation, development of cooperative and integration relations between agricultural producers and processing industry enterprises, allowing the creation of cooperatives that contribute to increasing the size of production and processing of meat products. As economic measures, it is advisable to stimulate supply and demand for food products, preferential lending throughout the entire cycle of obtaining products and selling them on domestic and foreign markets. The authors focus on the need to find options for reducing costs of production processes, implementing innovative projects and forming cluster-type associations. The creation of new enterprises (meat processing plants, poultry farms) will create new jobs and increase the income of the population.

Revolutionizing meat processing: a nexus of technological advancements, sustainability, and cultured meat evolution

This thorough analysis traverses the ever-changing terrain of meat processing, revealing a story intertwined with technological innovations, environmentally friendly methods, and the revolutionary rise of cultured meat production. The amalgamation of sustainable polymers, sophisticated composite coatings, and potent antioxidant agents strikingly demonstrates the sector's dedication to novelty and ecological accountability. Diagrammatic depictions outline tactical approaches to lowering carbon emissions, highlighting the circular economy in terms of material recycling and the creative recycling of agricultural and food waste into environmentally acceptable packaging. Modern meat processing techniques, automation, and smart technology are all explored, emphasising waste minimization, energy efficiency, and sustainable practices.In terms of the future, the assessment offers a peek at how biotechnological developments and uses of nanotechnology will combine to transform how meat is produced. The integration of precision biotechnology, ethical concerns, and sustainability ushers a new era of responsible and creative food production, positioning the meat processing sector as a pathfinder in addressing consumer needs

Edible packaging as sustainable alternative to synthetic plastic: a comprehensive review.

The choice of an appropriate packaging materials enhances the shelf life and improves quality of food during transportation, storage, and distribution. Development and innovations in food packaging systems have become essential in the food industry. Most widely used packaging materials are non-biodegradable plastics and are harmful to environment and human health. Thus, food industry is replacing non-biodegradable plastics with biodegradable plastics to reduce environmental pollution, health hazards, and food waste. Edible packaging may reduce food waste and keep perishables fresh. This review article compares edible packaging materials to synthetic ones and discusses their pollution-reducing effects. The several types of food packaging discussed in the review include those produced from polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and composite films. The various characteristics of edible packaging are reviewed, including its barrier qualities, carrier properties, mechanical capabilities, and edibility. The carrier properties describe the capacity to transport and manage the release of active substances, and the edibility indicates acceptance of these items by the customers. Plasticizers, antimicrobials, antioxidants, and emulsifiers were included in the edible packaging to enhance the characteristics of the film. The development and implementation of edible packaging on food products from the laboratory to large-scale industrial levels, as well as their potential industrial applications in the dairy, meat, confectionary, poultry, fish, fruit, and vegetable processing sectors are addressed.

Application of artificial intelligence techniques in meat processing: A review

AbstractThe field of meat processing plays a critical role in the food industry and has seen increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technology with rapid technological advancements. AI technology has tremendous potential for enhancing production efficiency and product quality in meat processing. However, further research and exploration are necessary to tackle the challenges posed by the use of AI technology. This article details the implementation of AI technology in meat processing, focusing on carcass classification, automation and intelligent processing, and meat‐quality detection. We aim to provide inspiration to researchers and industry professionals and promote the advancement of AI technology in the meat processing sector.Practical applicationsOur review article showcases the potential industrial applications of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in the meat processing industry. AI technology can greatly improve production efficiency and product quality in meat processing. By implementing AI algorithms, meat processors can accurately classify carcasses, automate various processing tasks, and detect meat quality with higher accuracy. These advancements can lead to increased profitability and improved food safety in the industry. We hope to provide valuable insights for researchers and industry professionals, encouraging them to further explore and adopt AI technology in the meat processing sector.

Perancangan Perbaikan Pada Mesin Slicer Untuk Meminimasi Jumlah Defect Pada Proses Slicing di Perusahaan Meat Processing Menggunakan Metode QFD

Product quality is conformity to requirements or specifications, which is greatly influenced by the production process. PT XYZ is a company in the meat processing sector, producing products such as smoked beef. There are 11 CTQs that must be met in smoked beef production, but there is still a gap between the number of defects and the maximum permitted limit. The slicing process is the main cause of the highest number of defects. This research aims to identify factors that cause defects in the slicing process and design a proposed machine to reduce the number of defects. The DMAI method is used to find solutions, followed by QFD to fulfill consumer desires. The design includes the addition of a proximity sensor, increased knife speed, and an integrated knife sharpener. A proximity sensor is connected to a microcontroller to monitor knife rotation speed and thickness in real-time. Providing this tool helps operators monitor machine conditions in real-time and prevent defects. The simulation shows an increase in the sigma level from 4,100 to 4,995.

A duplex PCR method for authentication of beef and pork content in raw and processed meat products

The regulatory framework regarding food labelling aims to ensure food safety and prevent consumer misleading and food fraud. However, legal compliance cannot be controlled without the use of reliable analytical methods. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with species-specific primers is considered the most reliable analytical tool for species identification in various raw and processed foods. Duplex PCR methods allow the simultaneous detection of two species within a product, which may considerably reduce analytical time, effort and price. Therefore, the objective of our study was to develop a duplex PCR method for detecting beef and pork in raw and processed meat products. Our research resulted in elaborating a highly specific method, with LOD for each sequence of 0.01 % target DNA in two-component meat mixtures. The application of the duplex PCR for authentication of raw and processed meat products on Bulgarian market showed that 45% of the analysed meat products had labelling incompliances regarding the content of beef and pork. These results demonstrate the need for more stringent and authenticity control in the meat processing sector and at the market by using rapid and reliable analytical methods in order to reduce the current levels of food fraud and protect consumer’s rights.

Collective mobility power: Grassroots unionism in the Italian meat-processing sector

In the last decade, several sectors of the Italian labour market have witnessed a rise in conflictual union activities carried out mostly by subcontracted migrant workers. Taking two grassroots unions in the North Italian meat processing sector as case studies (SICobas and ADLCobas), this paper investigates why and how migrant workers organise themselves through rank-and-file unions. In particular, the paper aims at understanding whether and how migrant workers' mobility power interplays with and influences their associational power, shedding light on the nexus between labour mobility and its mobilisation. After illustrating how grassroots unions develop in the Italian context, the paper analyses how migrant workers enhance their mobility power through rank-and-file unions and how these unions, in turn, utilise members' mobility as a resource to broaden their organisations. In conclusion, the paper argues that the presence of a highly mobile labour force does not weaken and could even strengthen mobilisations. Consequently, mobility power can be conceptualised not only as an individual strategy but also as a collective resource.

Social performance and impact assessment of an autonomous system in the meat processing sector

Abstract Purpose The automation of pork processing through robotics raises important societal concerns regarding working conditions of slaughterhouse workers and impacts on local communities. This article aims to evaluate the social performance and impacts of implementing an Autonomous Robotic System (ARS) for meat processing, comparing pre- and post-implementation scenarios. Methods The methodology of Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) was applied to the European pork processing sector, focusing on stakeholder categories Workers and Local Community. These were assessed with nine social subcategories in total and 22 corresponding indicators, which were scored to assess the technology in question against a reference scale where each score level has clearly established criteria. The data collection strategy combined a survey, individual interviews, and focus group interviews as well as secondary data collected from desktop research and database data. Results and discussion The results suggest a considerable improvement in social performance and impacts when moving from the conventional meat processing scenario to the ARS. All subcategories from both stakeholder categories scored higher in the post-ARS scenario. The most improved social subcategories were Health and safety and Access to immaterial resources. A considerable improvement was identified in social subcategories Working hours, Freedom of association and collective bargaining, and Fair salary. A modest improvement was identified in social subcategories Equal opportunities and discrimination, Employment relationship, and Migration and delocalisation. The ARS is anticipated to mitigate injury risks that workers are exposed to in a conventional meat factory and to reduce sick leave but will also necessitate training and close collaboration between unions and management teams. Conclusions Using a reference scale approach, we identified an improvement of the social performance in the pork processing industry post-ARS implementation, both for Workers and Local community. It is important to pay attention to social impacts and performances when introducing new technology such as automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence to ensure that these do not have unintended social impacts and/or poor social performance. Graphical Abstract

Descriptive analysis of the most common types of food safety infractions at ready-to-eat meat processing plants in Ontario, Canada

ABSTRACT Food safety inspections of meat processing plants and abattoirs that process ready-to-eat (RTE) meats have identified a lack of compliance with good manufacturing practices. This study was undertaken to identify common food safety infractions in the RTE meat processing sector in Ontario through an analysis of historical audit records. A total of 376,457 audit item results were evaluated across 912 unique audits of 204 different RTE meat plants. A nearly two-thirds overall item pass rate (64.4%; n = 242,478) was identified. Across all other risk categories, the highest rates of infractions were observed in the “maintenance of premises, equipment and utensils” (56.7%; n = 750). The overall item pass rate was higher in free-standing meat processing plants than abattoirs, while pass rates gradually decreased across the study period. The results of this study have identified key areas for improvement in future inspection, audit and outreach with RTE meat processing plants.

Understanding small- and very-small-scale size meat processors in Missouri to strengthen the local supply chain

Promoting local food systems is crucial to providing a more viable economy, eco-friendly production, and equal opportunities for producers, consum­ers, and communities. Meat processors are critical to local meat producers and the meat supply chain. However, various barriers have restricted small-scale meat processors and challenged the local meat supply chain. Although local food systems have gained enormous scholarly attention, little attention has been devoted to specifically exploring the meat processing sector. This study investigated the characteristics and challenges of small-scale (<750 employees) and very-small–scale (<200 employees) meat processors in Missouri. Twenty-six meat processors participated in an online survey through Qualtrics, a mail survey, or a structured phone interview between May 2021 and March 2022. We identified the characteristics and constraints related to their businesses. The analysis revealed that 76% of meat processors perceived that their business was in better or much better condition than before the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting their adaptability to the disrupted meat supply chain. However, small-scale meat processing facilities were limited by the labor shortage, complicated regulations and high regulatory compliance costs, a lack of consistent supply, and limited access to tools and equipment. More integrated work is needed to aid smaller processors in positively impacting the local community and environment through locally sourced meat production. This study contains helpful implications for state-level policymaking, extension programs, and future research directions.

Challenges Faced by Halal Meat Industry: A Review

The demand trend for Halal meat and meat-based products among Muslims worldwide has increased in recent years. Meanwhile, the awareness among non-Muslims of Halal meat and meat products is due to their high quality and safety, thus resulting in more access to Halal meat and meat-based products for them. Due to the technological advancements in the meat processing sector, adulteration and fraud have grown more widespread due to the financial gain that can be realized. The issues associated with Halal meat have created an opportunity for researchers, scientists, consumers, manufacturers, and regulators to work together to determine whether meats produced in the industry are Halal, safe to be consumed and free from food-borne pathogens. Halal authentication technology can assist in addressing this issue, whilst as a result, can assist juries in assessing the status of the products with a high degree of precision. The objectives of this review paper are to discuss and review the challenges of the Halal meat industry, including the analytical procedures used to ensure that Halal meat products have long-term viability in Malaysia. The methods used to review the selected topics are searching the extant literature available in the online and offline sources, screening for topic inclusion, assessing, extracting and discussing the available data obtained in the updated journals. In conclusion, numerous challenges are faced by the Halal meat industry, and they should be addressed by focusing on realistic prospects to enhance the production of local meat, which is critical in guaranteeing the supply of Halalan Toyyiban meat is bounteous and secured.

7.B. Workshop: Labor migration, the food supply chain and the COVID-19 syndemic: Germany, Netherlands, and the USA

Abstract The agriculture and meat-processing sectors employ, largely, (im)migrant workers in Germany, the Netherlands, and the USA. Deemed “critical infrastructure,” workers in the food supply chain (FSC) were particularly vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to poor adaptation of policies and practices related to health, immigration, and work. The pandemic has shone a light on preexisting inequalities and risks related to precarious and hazardous work, particularly for (im)migrant workers. We conducted harmonized policy analyses in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany, in the Netherlands, and in Illinois, USA on measures taken during the pandemic and how they affected migrant workers. These three regions host large businesses in meat-processing and agriculture. They saw significant COVID-19 outbreaks, with widespread health, social and economic repercussions. Public health effects included higher risk for all communities in the region; social effects included local lockdown measures; economic effects included food supply problems, euthanized animals, and financial losses due to the temporary closure of businesses. In our workshop, we will deliver three brief presentations on (im)migration, labor, and occupational safety and health policies during the COVID-19 syndemic in Germany, the Netherlands, and the USA. We present results of our analysis, highlighting similarities and differences between the EU-member states Germany and the Netherlands, on the one hand, and the US, related to the employment and exploitation of migrant workers from the global South/East in the global North/West. We highlight issues to be addressed in future global emergencies. The pandemic has prompted occupational safety and health measures in the FSC. However, agro-industrial sectors in Western Europe and the US heavily rely on precariously employed workers (e.g., seasonal, temporary and/or subcontracted workers). This may impact the extent to which preventive measures “work” for these populations: even when good policies are formulated, information exchange, collaboration, and enforcement by relevant agencies and immigration authorities is critical. Without such cooperation, the realization of stronger social protection of (im)migrant workers is are left to the good will of the employer. Structural drivers in the form of policies related to mobile labor, (im)migration and employment, superimposed on segmented labor markets and discriminatory practices, drove significant morbidity among (im)migrant workers. The following discussion will synthesize insights from the three contexts, and provide an opportunity to brainstorm with workshop participants to facilitate cross-national collaboration on this issue. Key messages • Food supply chain workers are at the intersection of discrimination in health, employment, and migration. • Comparative analysis provides a rich framework to guide management of vulnerable sectors, workers and workplaces during future pandemics.

Leveraging meatpacking ownership concentration and community centrality to improve disease resiliency

The U.S. meat processing sector has been subject to amplified scrutiny after workers exhibited disproportionately high rates of COVID-19 infections and deaths. In response, Tyson Foods—one of the largest meat packers in the country—mandated that its employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 1, 2021. In this paper, we investigate the impact that the Tyson vaccine mandate had on vaccine uptake, infection rates, and deaths in counties where Tyson processing facilities are located. We find that the mandate resulted in approximately 35,000 additional vaccinations. The resultant vaccine uptake avoided 98 COVID-19 infections per day and nearly 75 COVID-19-related deaths; the associated public health savings total $45.4 million. Employee health-related interventions at the corporate level can leverage industry ownership concentration and the centrality of packing operations in host communities to improve health outcomes and disease resiliency well beyond the packing operations.

Factors for increasing competitiveness of meat processing enterprises

Meat and meat products occupy a special place in Kazakhstan, as they are historically one of the main national products and are a source of protein which is necessary for life. The goal is to develop the main ways to increase the competitiveness of products in meat processing industry of the AIC. The meat processing industry is one of the main ones in the agro-industrial complex. Its structure is quite static, as it consists of two interrelated elements - livestock farms and meat processing enterprises that depend on food market. Methods – comparative, statistical, economic and system analysis, logical generalization. Results – Kazakhstan, which has a high potential for the development of animal husbandry, may be among the world leaders in meat processing sector. To solve this problem, it is necessary to strengthen economic base of processing enterprises, including meat processing enterprises, and to increase the competitiveness of their products in global commodity market of meat processing sector. Conclusions – meat industry as a structural element of the AIC has developed on the basis of the functioning of integral production and economic system in a single technological chain. For the effective development of the country's meat processing industry, it is necessary to create a rational system of production and economic relations. The level of meat production in the republic does not yet satisfy the needs of the population. The livestock production of the republic has not yet switched to intensive methods of production and processing.

El redescubrimiento del cerdo: aspectos zootécnicos y problemas de gestión de la cría de cerdos en Italia entre los siglos XIX y XX

The transition from the wild to the sedentary state represents the first change in farming practice which was followed by the dissemination of the practices of breeders on the improvement of breeds and specific studies in the zootechnical field for a better yield of pig meat productivity. The family-run breeding was gradually replaced by the industrial and intensive one. The demand for meat with an increasingly low-fat content has also pushed farmers to recover the ancient system of free grazing in the woods with a diet based on chestnuts and acorns to obtain a genuine and quality. Sector studies are crucial for the development of the sector and to reflect on the typical problems of the meat farming and processing sector. The focus then shifts to the deepening of national and European legislation to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the sector with a look at the environmental impact and the opportunity of livestock companies to adopt specific plants for the transformation and use of animal manure in biogas with great advantages in terms of energy and environment.

Frequency of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Various Occupational Sectors in an Industrialized Area of Northern Italy from May to October 2020.

The results of a voluntary screening campaign for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 serum antibodies are presented, performed on workers in the highly industrialized province of Modena in northern Italy in the period 18 May–5 October 2020. The employment activities of the subjects that tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and/or IgG antibodies were determined and classified using the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC). The distribution across different sectors was compared to the proportion of workers employed in the same sectors in the province of Modena as a whole. Workers with anti-SARS-CoV-2 serum antibodies were mainly employed in manufacturing (60%), trade (12%), transportation (9%), scientific and technical activities (5%), and arts, entertainment and recreation activities (4.5%). Within the manufacturing sector, a cluster of workers with positive serological tests was observed in the meat processing sector, confirming recent data showing a possible increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in these workers.

Food supply chain resilience and the COVID‐19 pandemic: What have we learned?

A year into the COVID‐19 pandemic, this paper reflects on the changes that occurred in agrifood supply chains in Canada and the United States. The sudden shift in food consumption patterns from food service to food retail required realignment of food supply chains. For the most part, food supply chains have performed remarkably well during the pandemic. Cross‐border food supply chains have continued to function effectively. The most significant disruptions emerged from workforce outbreaks of COVID‐19 in the meat processing sector and in fruit and vegetable production. The paper discusses supply chain resilience and argues that agrifood supply chains are characterized by several important differences that need to be taken into consideration when evaluating resilience. Economies of scale and scope offer economic efficiency advantages in normal times, while investments in adaptability and flexibility can enhance resilience for abnormal times. Potential long‐run changes within supply chains include increased automation and digitalization in food supply chains, while investments in infrastructure for online delivery services have permanently altered the food retailing landscape.

Selection of Industrial Trade Waste Resource Recovery Technologies—A Systematic Review

Industrial wastewater and other trade wastes are often sources of pollution which can cause environmental damage. However, resource recovery approaches have the potential to lead to positive environmental outcomes, profits, and new sources of finite commodities. Information on these waste sources, and the valuable components which may be contained in such waste is increasingly being made available by public, academic and commercial stakeholders (including companies active in meat processing, dairy, brewing, textile and other sectors). Utilising academic and industry literature, this review evaluates several methods of resource recovery (e.g., bioreactors, membrane technologies, and traditional chemical processes) and their advantages and disadvantages in a trade waste setting. This review lays the groundwork for classification of waste and resource recovery technologies, in order to inform process choices, which may lead to wider commercial application of these technologies. Although each waste source and recovery process is unique, membrane bioreactors show promise for a wide range of resource recovery applications. Despite interest, uptake of resource recovery technologies remains low, or not widely championed. For this to change, knowledge needs to increase in several key areas including: availabilities and classification of trade wastes, technology choice processes, and industrial viability.

The Covid-19 pandemic and meat supply chains

The Covid-19 pandemic has upended societies, economic activity, and business environments. With a focus on the meat processing sector, this paper considers the short, medium, and potential long-term implications of the pandemic for food supply chains. A series of short-run demand and supply shocks affected the food system. The pandemic has generated a lively discourse around the adaptability and resilience of food supply chains in the medium to longer term. Scale and scope economies in meat processing offer significant cost and efficiency advantages, while a more dispersed industry structure can be more flexible. The pandemic is likely to accelerate the adoption of automation and digitalization within food supply chains. The Covid-19 pandemic also focused consumer attention on the food system and the nature of food supply chains. Consumers' underlying food values may shape their response to uncertainty during a pandemic. The pandemic offers lessons for the food industry in proactively identifying and addressing points of vulnerability within supply chains.