Birko’s Beefxide, a patent-pending processing aid approved by the USDA, can be applied to meat prior to needling to reduce pathogens and aerobic spoilage bacteria on meat surfaces.
Sterilex’s patented PerQuat Technology has proven efficacy in disinfecting brine injection systems and needles.
Mechanically tenderizing a beef product potentially pushes pathogens from the exterior of the product into its interior, according to the US Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS).
Because mechanically tenderized beef products are non-intact products, they need to be more fully cooked than intact beef products where potential pathogens are limited to the surface.
FSIS issued a proposed rule requiring that mechanically-tenderized beef carry labels so customers will know about the product, if finalized 1 January 2016 will be the uniform compliance date.
Study under a USDA research grant showed the Sterilex formulation was “100% effective, providing total kill (of Listeria) and more than 90% biofilm removal.”
Needle tenderization
Up to a quarter of beef sold in the US is needle tenderized, according to market estimates.
Dr Elis Owens, Birko’s senior microbiologist/chemist, told FoodQualityNews.com that the partnership brings together two products to help processers.
“Effective cleaning and sanitation practices coupled with the use of interventions have always been and remain key to shelf life and food safety.”
When asked why the partnership was made now, Owens said the timing was right for the bundle.
“The USDA is placing increased regulatory focus on non-intact meats, the industry is always looking for ways to increase shelf life, and Sterilex had released the new clean-in-place (CIP) product with the shelf life study on needled meats.
“Pairing the Sterilex chemistry with a highly effective intervention such as Beefxide was a natural fit.
“The industry is always looking for opportunities to increase shelf life and improve food safety. Even with this bundle, these challenges will remain.”
Sterilex claims to have the only product with EPA-registered claims to kill biofilm bacteria and remove biofilm on the market.
Beefxide benefits
Owens said that the Beefxide application reduces the microbial load on the surface of the meat.
“It will also help control pathogens on the surface of the meat. As a consequence of the reduced microbial load, spoilage processes are retarded.
“The lower microbial load on the meat reduces the potential for cross contamination during the needling process as well as reducing the potential for pathogens and other bacteria to be carried below the surface of the meat.
“If the meat is not cooked thoroughly after needling, these sub-surface pathogens may survive cooking.”
He added that needles are difficult to clean and are prone to biofilm build up.
“Biofilms are often resistant to normal cleaning and sanitation procedures. They can also shed living organisms, resulting in contamination of the meat.”