US meat processor Cargill has agreed to label meat packaging that has been treated with carbon monoxide in a bid to allay safety concerns over the safety of the technology.
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Cargill, alongside Hormel Foods, will include new labelling on carbon monoxide packaging after US politicians questioned its safety.
“We will add labels to address those concerns,” a Cargill spokesman told just-food today (14 November). “[But] countless scientists have attested that this technology actually promotes food safety.”
Some US politicians have queried how safe the packaging is, arguing that it keeps meat looking fresh even though it may be spoiled.
Pending government approval, Cargill will include the message “Colour is not an accurate indicator of freshness. Refer to use or freeze-by date” on the packaging.
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By GlobalDataThe Cargill spokesman insisted there is no economic incentive for the company to package its meat and fish in using carbon monoxide packaging and said it is merely meeting consumer demand.
“For some consumers, a low-oxygen format meets their needs,” the spokesman said. “There has been a perception created that you have to have this technology to sell meat. Packaging is just a delivery tool – we will still sell meat one way or the other.”
Hormel officials could not be reached for immediate comment.
