Review of centralized packaging systems for distribution of retail-ready meat.

There is growing interest in centralized preparation of retail-ready meat cuts for distribution to widely dispersed retail stores due to the convenience of having high-quality ready-to-go products that are consistently provided to consumers at lower cost. Various centralized packaging techniques are described. Of all packaging techniques, master packaging is the most economical and shows promise for commercial application. Nevertheless, the master-packaging technique must be integrated with strict temperature control in a narrow range just above freezing (- 1.5 +/- 0.5 degrees C), good processing hygiene, and maintenance of a completely anoxic atmosphere in the package headspace throughout the distribution period to maximize storage life. Packaging using the CAPTECH process reduces the residual O2 present in the headspace to 300 ppm. Oxygen scavengers must be incorporated in the package to absorb the residual O2 and preserve the metmyoglobin reducing activity of meat tissues. Integration of all these technologies can provide a storage life of retail-ready meat up to 10 weeks in the master package followed by 3 days of retail display life. This extension of storage life is sufficient for transporting meat to distant markets.