Total Transparency and Naturally Processed Meat Solutions

Recently attending the Nutrition Industry Update at the Natural Products Expo West, attendees heard the following quote about total transparency by Mr. Greg Page of Cargill:
“In a world where nothing can be hidden, you better have nothing to hide”
This statement is especially true when we think about media and consumer uproar over the use of the ingredient, Lean Finely Textured Beef (LFTB) in fresh ground beef…
So where are we going into the future? Food and nutritional food supplement product sectors are headed in the same direction. “Less processed and more natural alternative processes and ingredients.” Instead of chemical synthesis, nutrients and functional ingredients are being extracted by water or mechanically or derived by fermentation. As an example, we have all observed the growth of “Natural” and “Uncured Cooked Meats” in the deli meat section. These products contain none of the synthetic or chemical preservatives commonly used to extend shelf life and most importantly product safety. But going to a natural ingredient solution is not without some controversy. . Celery powder is used in many natural uncured sausages and deli slices saying parenthetically,”A natural source of nitrates”. Indeed celery extract powder contains a very high nitrate content of 15,000 to 17,000 ppm and is an effective though expensive alternative to sodium nitrates. Showing their concern of this somewhat hidden source of nitrates; the EU does not approve of the indirect addition of nitrates to foods via extracts of vegetables such as celery. Is it better being naturally sourced? Absolutely… Is there a better answer. Possibly.
One natural alternative is the use of Spice and Fruit Extracts from Prosur. Based in Spain, Prosur offers a suite of natural fruit and spice extract blends with antimicrobial properties that provide protection against pathogens while preserving the fresh quality of natural meat,poultry and seafood. Prosur’s products work in a different way to preserve the cure color without containing nitrates and using the naturally occuring polyphenols from the spice and fruit extracts to provide the microbial protection.
If you want more information about Prosur contact your SPI Group representative.