Meat Supply Chain Research Articles

Coming to terms: meat's role in a healthful diet

Meat provides high quality protein and other essential nutrients to the body, but its role in human health continues to be debated. Meat is a vague term and there is a lack of consistency and specificity in the definition and characterization of meat by nutrition scientists versus meat scientists. The leanness of today's beef and pork is the result of continuous improvement throughout the meat supply chain, yet lean meat availability is inadequately considered in nutrition research. More consumer research is needed on the understanding of the term “meat” as well as industry and government support and education to help consumers make informed choices about what they eat.

Cold chain management in meat storage, distribution and retail: A review

Meat is a perishable product with a short shelf life and therefore short selling times. Therefore, cold chain management in meat supply is of utmost importance for the maintenance of quality and safety of meat/meat products. Raw meat/meat products are likely to support the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and/or spoilage bacteria, and should be kept at temperatures that do not result in a risk to health. The cold chain should not be interrupted at all times along the meat distribution chain. The complexity of global meat supply chain, with frequently long distribution chains associated with transportation of the product within one country, from one to another country and from one to another continent, makes the solutions for the chilling and freezing regimes, as well as monitoring of time-temperature profiles, very important for the overall success in delivery of product which will be accepted by consumer for its freshness and safety levels. From recently, there are several available options for control and management of the cold chain, such as chilled and frozen storage combinations, superchilling, ionizing radiation, biopreservation, high hydrostatic pressure (HHP), active packaging, wireless sensors, supported with the software-based cold chain database (CCD).

Differences in fraud vulnerability in various food supply chains and their tiers

Food fraud results from the interaction of motivated offenders with opportunities, and lack of control measures. The vulnerability to food fraud varies across chain actors (tiers) though, but insights on prime fraud drivers and enablers, as well as chain areas where vulnerabilities might exist are lacking. In the current study the fish, meat, milk, olive oil, organic bananas, and spice supply chains were assessed for their fraud vulnerabilities. The differences and similarities in vulnerabilities across the supply chains, as well as between groups of chain actors were evaluated using the SSAFE food fraud vulnerability assessment tool. Multiple correspondence analysis and agglomerative hierarchical clustering were applied for exploratory data analysis, and differences between chains and actors were assessed by analysis of variance and post-hoc tests. Thirteen fraud factors related to opportunities and motivations scored high across all supply chains indicating their importance as fraud drivers and enablers. Control measures varied considerably across supply chains and actor groups, with technical (hard) controls generally being more in place than managerial (soft) controls. Approximately half of the fraud factors were impacted by the type of commodity chain, and one out of seven of the fraud factors by the actor group. From the current sample group overall fraud vulnerability appeared highest for the spice chain, which was followed by the olive oil, meat, fish, milk and organic banana chains. Among the actor groups, the wholesale/traders group appeared most vulnerable, followed by retailers and processors. The current results provide new insights in the fraud factors determining fraud vulnerability in various supply chains, and the (dis)similarities in fraud vulnerability across supply chains and actor groups which helps to combat future food fraud.

Genetic diversity of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. isolates from different stages of the poultry meat supply chain in Argentina

The objective of this study was to investigate a clonal relationship among thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. isolates from different stages of the poultry meat supply chain in Argentina. A total of 128 thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. (89 C. jejuni and 39 C. coli) isolates from six poultry meat chains were examined. These isolates were from: a) hens from breeder flocks, b) chickens on the farm (at ages 1 wk and 5 wk), c) chicken carcasses in the slaughterhouse, and d) chicken carcasses in the retail market. Chickens sampled along each food chain were from the same batch. Campylobacter spp. isolates were analyzed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to compare different profiles according to the source. Clustering of C. jejuni isolates resulted in 17 profiles, with four predominant genotypes and many small profiles with just a few isolates or unique patterns, showing a very high degree of heterogeneity among the C. jejuni isolates. Some clusters included isolates from different stages within the same chain, which would indicate a spread of strains along the same poultry meat chain. Moreover, twenty-two strains of C. coli clustered in seven groups and the remaining 17 isolates exhibited unique profiles. Evidence for transmission of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. through the food chain and cross contamination in the slaughterhouses were obtained. This collective evidence should be considered as the scientific basis to implement risk management measures to protect the public health.

Manoeuvring through difficult terrain: How local traders link pastoralists to markets

Trade in livestock is the major source of income for pastoralists, traders, brokers, transporters and other actors in pastoral meat supply chains. Projects to ‘link pastoralists to markets’ in rural northern Kenya, place an emphasis on pastoral producers without adequate understanding of other inter-related actors whose activities and relations make up the connection to primary, secondary, regional and terminal markets. In this article, sheep and goat supply chains originating in Marsabit South are analyzed as a human activity system composed of the actions of supply chain actors and shaped by the relations between them. The geographically confined areas from which local markets receive the supply of sheep and goats are conceptualized as a “producer catchment area” depicted as finely branched tributaries through which livestock are moved towards terminal markets. A stakeholder analysis resulted in the identification of six categories of local traders who connect with other actors in both local and long distance supply chains to sustain the movement of sheep and goats to markets. The categories of traders are distinguished by different demands in travel, labour, working capital, risk exposures, and relations with other actors. In order to deal with variable and uncertain supply, local traders harness their social relations with other actors in the supply chain. However, local traders are at the highest risk for loss due to fluctuations in demand at the terminal market, as they depend on market information through brokers and lack relations to clients at the terminal market. This research demonstrates how systematic analysis of activities performed by actors, the interconnected activities linking them, and their relationships can offer insight for improved supply chain coordination.

Operation Risk Mitigation On Halal Meat Supply Chain Management

Business owner of perishable goods such as meats has barriers to meet the demand of worldwide shipping. One of potential risk is damage resulting in decreased quality product, while the product selection criteria not only focus on quality. As the development of health issues and needs, halal meats is not only considered by the Muslim consumer but also consumer globally. In addition, they have to pay attention to the possible risk that might occur during the logistic operations so as they prevent loss if they fail to deal with the problem and risk properly. Quality Function Development proposed to identify what consumer’s need as well as to analyse the condition of market in the future. The study is conducted in the context of business owner’s feelings based on their obstacles. It also aims to unravel the expectations and perceptions of owners with interrelated issues such as halal meats with each affecting on the other multidirectional ways. This study has revealed new insights for policy makers, logistics service providers, and practitioners whose decisions might impact the industry.

Hacia un Marco Conceptual Común sobre Trazabilidad en la Cadena de Suministro de Alimentos

AbstractBackground: The absence of a common conceptual framework on traceability in the food supply chain (SCF), prevents a cohesive development of this concept. The absence has generated confusion and has made it impossible to demonstrate the social and commercial advantages of its implementation. In addition, not having a common framework in countries such as Colombia obstructs the development of public policies.Method: A systematic review of the literature was carried out in four stages: search protocol to consult articles in the databases Scopus, Science Direct and ISI Web; review and selection of relevant articles; extraction and incorporation of data into tables and formats designed for this purpose and elaboration of the conceptual framework.Results: A common conceptual framework is proposed for the design and implementation of a traceability system in the SCF covering the following aspects: definition of traceability, characteristics and properties, schemes, traceable resource unit, motivators and recording systems. The international and national legislation is evaluated and aspects for its incorporation are established. The proposed conceptual framework is exemplified by the meat supply chain to guide the implementation of traceability systems in CSA in Colombia. Conclusions: The conceptual framework for SCF traceability can be a guide for the implementation and development of food chains in the Colombian context. Implementing this in agricultural chains would allow the differentiation of origin, which can be a competitive factor for producers with good agricultural practices, as well as provide effective logistic capacities for all agents of the SCF. The effect of its implementation should be evaluated with special emphasis on the impact on brand positioning and the establishment of fair prices as an effect of tracking and tracing the traceability system.Language: Spanish.

Systematic review of emerging and innovative technologies for meat tenderisation

Consumers are the final step in the meat supply chain and meeting consumer expectations of quality and tenderness are important for satisfaction and repeat purchase. High pressure processing, shockwaves, ultrasound, pulsed electric field and muscle stretching can be applied to pre- and post-rigor meat for tenderisation. These non-thermal and thermal innovative technologies can be used with varying levels of success to cause physical disruption to muscle structure, enhanced proteolysis and ageing and muscle protein denaturation and solubilisation resulting in changes to texture and juiciness. Results of a meta-analysis are used to compare the effects of these technologies on meat tenderisation. In the future, a combination of new and innovative technologies will be ideally suited to deliver a range of desired textures for meat products.

Illegal activity in the UK halal (sheep) supply chain: Towards greater understanding

Food supply chain theory and practice assumes that the processes involved are legal and value adding. In this paper, using examples from the UK halal (sheep) meat supply chain, we outline a value extracting value chain through a mixed methods qualitative approach consisting of face-to-face-interviews and a documentary research strategy underpinned by Narrative Inquiry. Building on previous theoretical work on Illegal Rural Enterprise, we present a narrative of an individual rogue-farmer, and explore his involvement in the illegal halal (‘smokies’) trade over a fifteen-year period. The paper provides a compelling story that will enable investigators to better understand illegal enterprise from a supply chain perspective and more adequately address the concerns stated in the UK Fraud Act 2006. The paper will be useful to food standards agencies in that furthers our understanding of entrepreneurial practice and morality in the food industry. The results demonstrate that illegal rural enterprise is a multi-faceted concept that requires an understanding of business practices and processes alongside a multi-agency approach to enterprise orientated crime. Our approach suggests that supply chains can be ‘flipped’ in order to understand illegal processes in addition to conventional legal processes.

Presencia de serotipos de Campylobacter jejuni O:19 en la cadena avícola Argentina

Thermotolerant species of Campylobacter have been focus of attention in the last years because they are the major agent causing zoonotic foodborne diseases. In addition, Campylobacter jejuni O:19 serotype was associated with Guillain Barré syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of C. jejuni O:19 serotype isolated at different stages of three poultry meat supply chain in Santa Fe, Argentina. The analysis showed that 18% of isolated C. jejuni belong to serotype O:19. It was also determined that the presence of these strains is given in almost all production stages. These results reflect a significant risk to public health of consumers. Epidemiological studies of Campylobacter should be considered to establish a risk manager policy.

Multi-criteria optimization for a cost-effective design of an RFID-based meat supply chain

PurposeIn this paper, the authors investigated a proposed radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based meat supply chain to monitor quality and safety of meat products we purchase from supermarkets. The supply chain consists of farms, abattoirs and retailers. The purpose of this paper is to determine a cost-effective trade-off decision obtained from a developed multi-criteria optimization model based on three objectives. These objectives include customer satisfaction in percentage of product quantity as requested by customers, product quality in numbers of meat products and the total implementation cost. Furthermore, this work was aimed at determining the number and locations of farms and abattoirs that should be established and quantities of products that need to be transported between entities of the proposed supply chain.Design/methodology/approachTo this aim, a tri-criteria optimization model was developed. The considered criteria were used for minimizing the total implementation cost and maximizing customer satisfaction and product quality. In order to obtain Pareto solutions based on the developed model, four solution approaches were employed. Subsequently, a new decision-making algorithm was developed to select the superior solution approach in terms of values of the three criteria.FindingsA case study was applied to examine the applicability of the developed model and the performance of the proposed solution approaches. The computational results proved the applicability of the developed model in obtaining a trade-off among the considered criteria and solving the RFID-based meat supply chain design problem.Practical implicationsThe developed tri-criteria optimization model can be used by decision makers as an aid to design and optimize food supply chains.Originality/valueThis paper presents a development of first, a cost-effective optimization approach for a proposed RFID-based meat supply chain seeking a trade-off among three conflicting criteria; and second, a new decision-making algorithm which can be used for any multi-criteria problem to select the best Pareto solution.

Developing a meat supply chain network design using a multi-objective possibilistic programming approach

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a study in developing a cost-effective meat supply chain network design aiming to minimizing the total cost of transportation, the number of transportation vehicles and the delivery time of meat products. The developed model was also used for determining the optimum numbers and allocations of farms and abattoirs that need to be established and the optimal quantity flow of livestock from farms to abattoirs and meat products from abattoirs to retailers.Design/methodology/approachA multi-objective possibilistic programming model was formulated with a focus on minimizing the total cost of transportation, the number of transportation vehicles and the delivery time of meat products. Three sets of Pareto solutions were obtained using the three different solution methods. These methods are the LP-metrics method, the ɛ-constraint method and the weighted Tchebycheff method, respectively. The TOPSIS method was used for seeking a best Pareto solution as a trade-off decision when optimizing the three conflicting objectives.FindingsA case study was also applied for examining the effectiveness and applicability of the developed multi-objective model and the proposed solution methods. The research concludes that the ɛ-constraint method has the superiority over the other two proposed methods as it offers a better solution outcome.Research limitations/implicationsThis work addresses as interesting avenues for further research on exploring the delivery planner under different types of uncertainties and transportation means. Also, environmentalism has been increasingly becoming a significant global problem in the present century. Thus, the presented model could be extended to include the environmental aspects as an objective function.Practical implicationsThe developed design methodology can be utilized for food supply chain designers. Also, it could be applied to realistic problems in the field of supply chain management.Originality/valueThe paper presents a methodology that can be used for tackling a multi-objective optimization problem of a meat supply chain network design. The proposed optimization method has the potential in solving the similar issue providing a compromising solution due to conflicting objectives in which each needs to be achieved toward an optimum outcome to survive in the competitive sector of food supply chains network.

Towards consumer-driven meat supply chains: opportunities and challenges for differentiation by taste

AbstractThis paper investigates the state of pork supply as to its neglect of developing innovations and mechanisms for delivering superior eating quality to consumers. We explore reasons behind pork supply chains’ predominant focus on mass production combined with traceability and food safety, while only little attention has been given to potentially lucrative niche markets focused on intrinsic quality cues. Using established analytical frameworks of hedonic pricing and transactions costs economics we discuss alternative strategies for the segregation and promotion of intrinsic sensory differentiated pork. Growing empirical evidence in the literature underpins the importance of eating experience in delivering utility to consumers and in stabilizing declining demand trends in major markets. Building on current consumer behavioral literature and organizational developments in meat supply chains in Europe and Australia, we critically discuss opportunities to overcome this supposedly suboptimal situation.

IoT in Agriculture: Designing a Europe-Wide Large-Scale Pilot

The technologies associated with the Internet of Things have great potential for application in the domain of food and agriculture, especially in view of the societal and environmental challenges faced by this sector. From farm to fork, IoT technologies could transform the sector, contributing to food safety, and the reduction of agricultural inputs and food waste. A major step toward greater uptake of these technologies will be the execution of IoT-based large-scale pilots (LSPs) in the entire supply chain. This article outlines the challenges and constraints that an LSP deployment of IoT in this domain must consider. Sectoral and technological challenges are described in order to identify a set of technological and agrifood requirements. An architecture based on a system of systems approach is briefly presented, the importance of addressing the interoperability challenges faced by this sector is highlighted, and we elaborate on requirements for new business models, security, privacy, and data governance. A description of the technologies and solutions involved in designing pilots for four agrifood domains (dairy, fruit, arable, meat and vegetable supply chain) is eventually provided. In conclusion, it is noted that for IoT to be successful in this domain, a significant change of culture is needed.

The fuzzy multi-objective distribution planner for a green meat supply chain

It is often a complex task for developing a product distribution plan of a supply chain (SC) network and a supportive decision tool can be useful for easing the role of decision-making. On the other hand, it has been increasingly becoming a demand to design a supply chain network considering the environmental impact as a new dimension as required by authorities in many countries. This paper describes a development of a product distribution planner for a three-echelon green meat supply chain (MSC) design in terms of issues including numbers and locations of facilities that should be opened in association with the product quantity flows. These issues were formulated into a fuzzy multi-objective programming model (FMOPM) with an aim to minimize the total cost of transportation and implementation, the amount of CO2 emissions in transportation and the distribution time of products from farms to abattoirs and from abattoirs to retailers, and maximize the average delivery rate in satisfying product quantity as requested by abattoirs and retailers. To optimize the four objectives simultaneously, three solution methods were investigated and used; which are the LP-metrics method, the ε-constraint method and the goal programming method. The best solution was determined using the Max-Min method by comparing the obtained Pareto solutions. A case study was examined based on the developed model that demonstrates its applicability in making an optimal product distribution plan in trade-offs among the four objectives.

Developing sustainability in the Italian meat supply chain: an empirical investigation

Although sustainable supply chain (SC) management has been widely investigated in recent years, the focus has mainly been on the practices adopted by a single company, so missing the big picture at SC level. This study of the Italian meat industry considers the SC as a whole, identifying the critical points for each stage in terms of economic, environmental and social sustainability. To this end, a first set of case studies was conducted of companies at different stages of the SC before turning to focus on the meat processing stage, which was identified as critical and highly relevant. A second set of case studies analysed how these companies leverage SC management practices to develop sustainable SCs. In so doing, specific attention was paid to drivers and contingent variables that foster the adoption of sustainable practices. The results of the two steps were then merged to illuminate how practices adopted by the meat processors can impact on the whole chain, confirming their pivotal role in driving sustainability. These results provide a holistic view of the phenomenon, encompassing the entire chain from end to end and highlighting the interdependences across various stages of the meat SC.

Potential of the polymer poly-[2-(tert-butylamino) methylstyrene] as antimicrobial packaging material for meat products.

The objective of the study was to investigate the antimicrobial potential of a new SAM(®) polymer poly(TBAMS) as packaging material for meat products. The influence of temperature, time and product factors on the antimicrobial activity of poly(TBAMS) against different bacteria was determined using a modified test method based on the Japanese Industrial Standard 2801:2000. Results showed a significant reduction in bacterial counts on poly(TBAMS) compared with the reference material of several meat-specific micro-organisms after 24h at 7°C. Bacterial counts of Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Lactobacillus spp., Brochothrix thermosphacta and Escherichia coli were reduced by >4·0log10 units. Pseudomonas fluorescens was less sensitive to poly(TBAMS) within 24h between 2 and 7°C. Prolonging the storage time to 48h, however, resulted in an increased reduction rate. Furthermore, antimicrobial activity was also observed if meat components in the form of meat extract, meat juice or bovine serum albumin protein were present. Antimicrobial activity was also achieved if inoculated with mixed cultures. Poly(TBAMS) showed antimicrobial properties under conditions typical for meat supply chains. Poly(TBAMS) bears a high potential to increase safety and shelf life of meat products.

MESCO (MEat Supply Chain Ontology): An ontology for supporting traceability in the meat supply chain

Traceability plays an important role in the food industry because it is directly connected with food quality and safety. Safety, in fact, can only be guaranteed by following food products along the entire supply chain. In the last years, a series of food safety scandals have invested the meat sector, highlighting the lack of common standards for information encoding and management and the inability to link food products with the elements involved in their transformation process. This paper describes the MEat Supply Chain Ontology (MESCO), an ontology developed for supporting the management of meat traceability along the whole supply chain. In particular, in this paper the authors instantiate MESCO to take the problem of meat traceability from the farmer to the final consumer. The article describes the main features of MESCO, illustrating the different steps followed for its development and some example of application. MESCO has been validated and interrogated through the formulation of several queries expressed in Description Logic (DL), executed using the Pellet reasoner, to deal with different scenarios and problems of traceability. The results show that MESCO is able to represent all the knowledge and information related to the meat traceability domain into a single ontology, enabling interoperability among different systems and allowing for integrating the heterogeneous databases adopted by each actor involved in the supply chain. One of the main advantages in using MESCO is the facility in obtaining essential data, fundamental in case of food outbreak disease, addressing the key issues that makes the job of food safety agents frustrating.

Brucella abortus detected in cheese from the Amazon region: differentiation of a vaccine strain (B19) from the field strain in the states of Pará, Amapá and Rondônia, Brazil

Abstract: Brucellosis is an infectious-contagious disease responsible for significant economic losses to the meat and milk supply chain, because it causes reproductive disorders in animals and is a chronic anthropozoonosis. This study was designed to detect the DNA of Brucella spp. in cheese and to differentiate between a vaccine strain (B19) and the field strain. Sixty-six samples of different cheeses which are produced and marketed in three states of the Brazilian Amazon region (Amapá [5 samples], Pará [55 samples] and Rondônia [6 samples]) were evaluated. Thirty-nine of these samples were from cheeses made from cow's milk, and 27 were from cheeses made from buffalo milk. Four of the 66 samples were from cheeses produced in milk processing plants regulated by the Federal Inspection Service (Serviço de Inspeção Federal); nine of the samples were from cheeses produced in processing plants regulated by the State Inspection Service (Serviço de Inspeção Estadual); five of the samples were from artisanal cheeses; and the remaining 48 samples were from informally produced cheese. DNA was obtained from the samples following a DNA extraction protocol, and PCR was conducted using primers B4 and B5 to detect Brucella spp. Primers eri1 and eri2 were used to differentiate the field strain from the B19 vaccine strain. The results showed that 21.21% (14/66) of the samples were positive for Brucella spp., of which 21.43% (3/14) were positive for the B. abortus field strain, and 7.14% (1/14) were identified as harboring vaccine strain B19. These results demonstrate that it is possible to identify Brucella spp. in cheese from the Amazon region using the PCR technique and to differentiate the B. abortus field strain from the B19 vaccine strain.

A study in integrity of an RFID-monitoring HMSC

ABSTRACTIn recent years, trade of Halal foods is spreading at a rapid pace. Additionally, Halal food consumers have become increasingly concerned about the integrity of Halal-food related products in terms of production, transportation and storage along an entire supply chain network as it is important for Halal food products these consumers purchase from supermarkets are truly Halal. These are unlike traditional principles of any other food type. This requires Halal food suppliers who monitor Halal food supply chains to provide adequate information on foods purchased in supermarkets which can be easily accessed by consumers. This article presents a framework in development of a RFID-enabled monitoring system for a Halal meat supply chain network design for enhancing traceability of integrity of Halal meat products. A multi-objective model was developed for investigating an economic feasibility of the proposed RFID-enabled monitoring system. A case study was used for verifying the effectiveness of the developed mathematical model.