This article explores the potential of meat byproducts to meet the increasing global demand for protein, as well as their nutritional value, the processes needed to ensure their safety and shelf life, and sustainable, economic methods of protein extraction.

The added microbial risks that come with eating more plant-based foods can usually be mitigated by adjusting recipes or process parameters, although hazard considerations regarding the chemical safety of a diet richer in plant-based materials is more complex. Also, introducing reusable packaging may come with its own set of issues.

A variety of actions, spanning from simply changing a nozzle to implementing AI technology, can contribute to making sanitizing procedures more sustainable. The authors dive into some of these actions and look at the effectiveness, implementation challenges, and consequences for the end products.

The safety of meat continues to be a challenge, mainly due to the ever-increasing line speeds and customer expectations that are approaching zero tolerance toward any irregularities. Listeria-free fresh meat is being requested in the market, and even small pieces of soft plastic can cause major recalls, loss of reputation, and loss of business for meat producers. In this article, the authors present new approaches to addressing well-known and emerging challenges from physical and microbiological risks in the meat industry.

When determining the shelf life of meat products, it is important to consider how the growth of both spoilage organisms and pathogenic bacteria can be prevented, while at the same time keeping a keen eye on the sensory quality of the product.