Nature’s own guardians — advances in meat preservation and safety

In the bustling world of meat, seafood, and poultry production, two fundamental pillars stand tall: shelf life extension and uncompromising food safety. The balancing act between delivering fresh, tasty products and ensuring consumer health and satisfaction presents a unique challenge for producers worldwide. Corbion, a leader in the industry, steps up to this challenge with a suite of natural preservation solutions aimed at replacing synthetic chemicals with sustainable alternatives.

Natural touch

Cristiane Marangoni, meat application manager EMEA notes that in the quest for prolonged shelf life, producers face myriad hurdles, from oxidation to microbial growth and spoilage. These factors can quickly impact consumers’ purchasing decisions due to changes in colour and limited shelf life. “Moreover,” she says, “consumers are increasingly seeking products with natural ingredients, and Corbion utilises its expertise in fermentation and natural processes to fulfil this demand.”

David J. Charest, senior vice president, business industry, Corbion, highlights the role of the industry for many years of the standard Opti.Form Ace portfolio, which includes sodium and potassium lactate as well as a significant level of acetate, offers premium Listeria control. This powerful combination not only enhances yield, texture, and shelf life in meat, poultry, and seafood offerings but also streamlines production processes by reducing the need for extra safety ingredients. This line’s robust formulation helps maintain a simplified ingredient list and, depending on the specific products chosen, can also facilitate sodium reduction.

“The newest Verdad portfolio features similar performance while being derived from natural ferments like vinegar and others, ideal solutions for controlling Listeria growth in cooked meats and simultaneously extending shelf life for both fresh and cooked products,” Charest adds. He points out the crafting through the fermentation of corn sugar with meticulously selected food cultures, means the Verdad vinegar range is a testament to Corbion’s commitment to targeted solutions.

Tailored to suit

For seafood preservation, Corbion offers tailored solutions to shelf life extension and food safety. The company’s expertise provides an innovative portfolio developed specifically for these applications ensuring efficient diffusion with natural ingredients.

“Corbion’s solutions ensure that seafood retains its delicate flavours, colours and textures while extending its shelf life, meeting the demands of consumers for premium, and fresh products,” Marangoni says of the ranges’ flexibility.

Yet, Corbion’s expertise transcends mere ingredient provision. The company goes the extra mile by offering personalised service, regulatory support and comprehensive training programs. These initiatives empower producers to implement turnkey solutions that align seamlessly with stringent food safety protocols. By tapping into Corbion’s deep well of knowledge and experience, producers navigate technical complexities and regulatory landscapes with confidence, ensuring compliance at every step.

A pivotal tool in Corbion’s arsenal is the Corbion Listeria Control Model (CLCM). This cutting-edge online platform simplifies product development by harnessing predictive growth modelling and decades’ worth of Listeria challenge data. Producers can now project Listeria growth trajectories based on specific product attributes, enabling swift comparisons of Corbion solutions’ efficacy across meat, seafood, and poultry categories. This strategic approach minimises the need for exhaustive challenge studies, accelerating time product development and launch to market while upholding the highest standards of food safety.

Next to its more traditional buffered vinegars, Corbion recently expanded its portfolio with the introduction of Origin, a line of antioxidant solutions that exemplify its commitment to meeting market demands while staying true to its sustainability mission. With Origin, transparency stands as a cornerstone of Corbion’s ethos, as the company meticulously certifies the natural origins of ingredients such as rosemary and acerola. These antioxidants play a crucial role in preserving the sensorial attributes such as colour, freshness and overall quality of meat, seafood, and poultry, providing producers with the assurance they need to meet evolving consumer expectations maintaining the product integrity.

By leveraging these ingredients, Corbion’s solutions yield additional benefits beyond preservation and safety. By curbing food waste, producers optimise processes and contribute to a more sustainable future — a mission in harmony with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Through collaborations with supplier partners, Corbion ensures equity and opportunity across often overlooked regions in the value chain, bolstering the natural sources of their prized plant-based products.

Corbion strongly believes its natural alternatives for meat, seafood, and poultry preservation herald a new era of innovation in the industry. With an unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and sustainability, Corbion is continuing to empower producers worldwide, ensuring that every product reaches consumers’ plates as fresh, flavourful, and safe as the day it was crafted.