Ingredients
The future cannot be appreciated without reflecting on the past. The processed meat industry mirrors an image of evolution, with changes taking place at increasingly faster speed. Although it might be hard to believe, for many years the US dominated franchised fast food industry implemented dogmatic standards of American origin menu board foods in their international markets totally ignoring the needs for value-priced yet healthy and tasty nutrition.

Eastern Europe
Last year 10 countries joined the EU, eight of them from Central Europe. However, there are still major differences between the new members and the old members. How will this affect the development of the EU-25 meat markets as a whole?

Eastern Europe
A closer look at the EU's 10 new member states and how their meat markets will develop now that they are part of a bigger economic block with new trade and food safety regulations.

Eastern Europe
As EU membership moves closer, Bulgaria's meat industry is struggling to adapt to new requirements and market conditions. However, government and industry are working together to solve this.

Eastern Europe
In a similar situation to that of Bulgaria, Romania's meat industry has a lot of catching up to do before joining the EU in two years time. However, no major problems are foreseen due to its forced adaptation.

Eastern Europe
Like other countries in Eastern Europe, the Ukraine has close trade links with Russia. This has led to interesting market dynamics, such as the large amounts of meat imported to replace that which is exported to well-paying customers.

Eastern Europe
Russia's booming economy has benefited most meat exporters. However, government policy is promoting local production. Will they succeed, to the chagrin of exporters?

Slaughtering
A novel technique – using an oval saw – completely removes all spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia from cattle and sheep carcasses on the slaughter line.

Food safety
As the battle for meat free of disease-causing microorganisms continues, researchers are looking at ways of reducing the initial contaminating load. It seems rather straightforward, but one of the best strategies is to keep a clean production line, from farm to abattoir.

 
July 20, 2005