What Is Gas Flushed Bacon?

Smoky bacon from brining or curing

A bacon is a type of pork that is usually eaten on its own as a side dish or used as an ingredient in a sandwich. Different types of bacon are made from different cuts of pork. Depending on the region you're in, bacon can be brined and cold smoked to give it a smoky flavor.

You can get the meat sliced in a variety of thicknesses. After the bacon is sliced, it can be cooked in many ways, such as on a griddle, fried in a cast iron skillet, or baked in an oven. Uncured bacon is healthier than cured bacon because of the differences in the brining and curing process.

Gas flushing for food processing

Food manufacturers face a lot of challenges in preserving the freshness of their products. A failure to curb rapid food spoilage will result in a decline income due to lower purchase rates for affected food materials. Gas flushing is the use of a gas to modify the environment in food packaging.

Nitrogen gas is used to achieve the conditions that are suitable for longer food storage periods. Gaseous nitrogen has a number of unique properties that make it suitable for food processing. Nitrogen is not react with prepared food materials which can alter their aromas or flavors.

Oxygen will be displaced and the growth of microorganisms will be mitigated by the use of gaseous nitrogen. Nitrogen cylinders are more expensive than a nitrogen generator when combined with maintenance expenses for food processing industries. The cost of gas itself and cylinder rentals will raise overall operation costs.

Nitrogen cylinders are stored for long periods in gas storage units, which can cause accidental gas leak. Nitrogen gas is usually harmless in the open air, but it must be taken precautions to prevent a gas leak when stored in confined spaces. Nitrogen gas safety procedures must be observed because high concentrations of the gas pose a serious industrial hazard.

Control of Atmospheres in Packaging

In addition to packaging, modified atmospheres are used in other areas. They can be used in the production process, for example in the case of fruit and vegetables in halls or containers. The standards required by Modified Atmosphere Packaging are high and have to be monitored.

Food manufacturers rely on modern MAP gas technology and various levels of quality assurance for maximum process safety. New geographic markets to manufacturers are opened up by the longer shelf life of Modified Atmosphere Packaging. Long shipment distances can be achieved with goods that are old.

A global market can be a reality. The use of Preservatives can be reduced or completely eliminated if the food is packaged under a protective atmosphere. Consumers get products that are free of artificial ingredients.

The design of the packaging is important in the competition for consumers. The quality impression and look-and-feel are important factors in the purchasing behavior. The most appealing packaging design and presentation of the food product is suited for the modified atmosphere packaging.

The modified atmosphere packaging process has high requirements. There are possibilities of failures, such as incorrect gas composition or leaks due to faulty temperature or pressure distribution. Modern MAP technology and comprehensive quality assurance can help with the risks.

The ractopamine epidemic: lobbying for the bacon taste

The bacon taste is more popular than ever. ractopamine, a livestock growth altering drug so dangerous that 160 countries around the world have banned its use, is found in conventionally-produced bacon and other pork products. The National Pork Producers Council has 20 members who spend as much as 1.3 million dollars annually on lobbying during the ractopamine era.

It generously donates to political campaigns. The groups current agenda is to get countries that have banned ractopamine to reverse their ban. The feed Additive containing ractopamine has a warning for people with cardiovascular disease.

Those who handle it are warned to wear protective clothing, gloves, and eyewear. The cattle that are fed with ractopamine must beaten to get them to go down the chute to slaughter. Ractopamine can cause profound sickness and death in animals.