meat processing

Table of Contents

Introduction
Conversion of muscle to meat
- Muscle structure and function
  - Skeletal muscle structure
  - Skeletal muscle contraction
- Postmortem muscle
  - pH changes
  - Protein changes
Properties of meat
- Chemistry and nutrient composition
  - Protein
  - Fat
  - Vitamins and minerals
  - Cholesterol
  - Carbohydrates
  - Water
- Colour
  - Myoglobin content
  - Oxidation state of iron
- Tenderness
  - Meat grain
  - Connective tissue
  - Fat
- Postmortem quality problems
  - DFD meat
  - PSE meat
  - Cold shortening
  - Heat ring
Livestock slaughter procedures
- Preslaughter handling
- Stunning
- Slaughtering
  - Hogs
  - Cattle, calves, and sheep
- By-products
Meat inspection
- Antemortem and postmortem inspection
- Reinspection during processing
- Sanitation
- Facilities and equipment
- Labels and standards
- Compliance
- Pathology and epidemiology
- Residue monitoring and evaluation
Meat grading
Retail meat cutting
- Pork fabrication
- Beef fabrication
- Lamb fabrication
- Veal fabrication
Meat cookery
- Colour changes
- Structural changes
Meat microbiology, safety, and storage
- Food-borne microorganisms
  - Food-spoilage microorganisms
  - Food-poisoning microorganisms
  - Prevention of microbial contamination
- Preservation and storage
  - Cold storage
  - Freezing
  - Vacuum packaging
  - Canning
  - Drying
  - Fermentation
  - Irradiation
  - Curing and smoking

References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

vastus lateralis muscle of sheep

basic slaughtering process; meat processing

Hong Kong: meat vendor

cuts of lamb; meat processing

cuts of veal; meat processing

Staphylococcus aureus

Discover

NBA Lakers Celtics Finals Kevin Garnett shooting.

10 Great Sports Rivalries

Middle East bee locator map

Are the Middle East and the Near East the Same Thing?

airplane in flight (plane, aircraft, flying)

7 Puzzling Plane Disappearances

Artist interpretation of space asteroids impacting earth and moon. Meteoroids, meteor impact, end of the world, danger, destruction, dinosaur extinct, Judgement Day, Doomsday Predictions, comet

Major Mass Extinctions

New York NY/ USA- November 23, 2018 Hordes of shoppers throng the Macy's Herald Square flagship store in New York looking for bargains on the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday.

Why Is It Called Black Friday?

Time zone map with standard time zones and International Date Line

Why Are Some Time Zones 30 Minutes Off Instead of an Hour?

Salem Witch Trials. Photogravure after the painting by Walter McEwen titled - The Witches - circa 1890s.

How Rye Bread May Have Caused the Salem Witch Trials

meat processing: Facts & Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Also Known As	meatpacking

Photos

vastus lateralis muscle of sheep

basic slaughtering process; meat processing

Hong Kong: meat vendor

cuts of lamb; meat processing

cuts of veal; meat processing

Staphylococcus aureus

See All Images →

Topics

evisceration carcass deboning thaw rigor stunning slaughtering exsanguination cold shortening mechanical deboner shehita cereal processing food preservation fat and oil processing fish processing fruit processing vegetable processing poultry processing food additive cheese making coffee production

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Key People

Gustavus Swift

Gustavus Swift

American businessman

Upton Sinclair

Upton Sinclair

American novelist