Birko processing aid accepted for beef exports to Japan
Beefxide (a blend of lactic acid, citric acid and potassium hydroxide) has been included in the US Meat Export Foundation guidance document, following talks from USDA Foreign Agricultural Service and the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW).
Beefxide may be used without labeling, as a spray at concentrations up to 2.5% w/w on carcasses, heads and organs including unskinned livers (outer membrane intact), skinned livers (outer membrane removed), tongues and tails, primal cuts, sub-primal cuts, cuts and trimmings.
Other compounds included on an approved additives list from MHLW include peracetic acid (PAA) blends such as Birkoside MP-2.
The products are on a approval process for use on beef products for export to Japan; but the agency has said that products treated with PAA will still be accepted until a final determination is made.
