FFCE provides end to end consulting solutions for the processing and manufacturing of Fresh Cit meats. Fresh cuts due to their sensitivity are processed, and packaged in a manner in order to meet the market needs without compromising their qualities of taste, texture and nutritional value. With our services to support your operations from sourcing to cutting and washing, your fresh cuts will clearly represent quality and freshness.

When it comes to our Process Improvement services fresh cut meats, we pay special attention to how it can improve the cutting, trimming, and portioning phases of a food service operation to minimize waste and guarantee that portions are properly standardized. This you could be in a position to get a high yield from each cut taken. We afford Technological Services to incorporate technologically innovative tools like automated cutting machines, portion control systems, and vacuum packaging systems which help to keep your products fresh and safe. 

We also enjoy offering you Regulatory Compliance & Documentation services to ensure your fresh cuts meet all the required safety standards internationally. Most especially including those related to hygiene and temperature regulation. We also provide economical and eco-friendly meat packaging solutions. We provide assistance of Audits & Training, to ensure your production areas are standard as they produce quality products. This is done so that each and every cut of meat or poultry is handled properly and the quality is maintained throughout. We also provide third-party collaboration services so that you can grow up your business. 

What are Fresh Cuts?

Fresh cuts mean trimmed, portioned and packaged, raw and uncooked meat, poultry or other food products, suitable for retail and food service. These products are appreciated because they are tasty and diverse and allow consumers to cook meals with portions they are ready to. Fresh cuts production process requires special handing due to the nature of the product and the possibility of spoiling before it gets to the consumers.

There are several processes in meat processing plant setup for fresh-cut meat production. Some of the most significant equipment involves cutting and trimming equipment to provide portions with a lot of control and little wastage. It has chillers and freezers for processing and storage of fresh cuts to minimize spoilage, and in order to ensure food safety. MAP or modified atmosphere packaging or vacuum packaging is used for prolonging the shelf life of fresh cuts that have to be marketed while maintaining the appearance and freshness at the same time.

Both good hygiene and cold chain management throughout the production and distribution of the product. Transportation of fresh cuts has to be done under conditions that enhance product quality from the processing plant to the consumer’s table. 

Type of Fresh Cut Meat Products

Marinated Drumsticks

  • Profile: Marinated chicken drumsticks that can be grilled, baked or fried to best preference.
  • Applications: Suitable for grilling, roasting or deep frying as this gives a delicious and quick meal to prepare.

Nuggets

  • Profile: Small portions of different meats cut in small pieces, normally either breaded or spiced.
  • Applications: Used as a snack or STAPA, can be fried or baked.

Kebabs

  • Profile: Small pieces of meat that are marinated and which are usually chicken, mutton or lamb which can be combined with vegetables.
  • Applications: Perfect for grilling or barbecuing, presenting a delicious and colorful meal.

Boneless Pieces

  • Profile: Portion of meat without bones in it like chicken breast, mutton, or sirloin.
  • Applications: Suitable for all forms of cooking techniques such as grilling, sautéing, or roasting.

Wings

  • Profile: Wings, both traditional, which are raw and uncut wings, and grilled wings, with or without toppings.
  • Applications: Well-known in catering companies, as finger foods and snacks, can be baked, fried, or grilled.

Steak

  • Profile: Select meat cuts predominantly of mutton intended for grilling or pan-searing including the rib eye, sirloin, and T-bone.
  • Applications: Perfect for fine dining places or even for a simple get-together meal menu, with a great source of flavorsome meat.

Production Process Fresh-Cut Meats 

Ingredient Sourcing

  • Objective: Make sure the right type of meat is chosen to get the best taste as well as sanitize.

Process:

  • Meat Selection: Get meat from reliable suppliers to meet the requirements of freshness, tenderness, and flavor to the consumer.
  • Inspection: Perform MOT visually and by sensory analyses to ensure that the quality and safety of the meat being processed are not compromised.

Cutting and Trimming

  • Objective: Dissect the meat, so that it is ready for use; trim off unwanted fat or sinews and skin as the case may be.

Process:

  • Cutting: Slice the meats as desired rib shapes, nuggets, or steak shapes by using specific hardware as well as methods.
  • Trimming: Trim off any extra fat, bone, and sinew that may lay on the papaya and which are not desirable in this type of product.

Marination and Seasoning

  • Objective: Improve flavor as well as texture by usage of marinades or flavor enhancers.

Process:

  • Marination: Marinate meat in spices, herbs and other food additives that enhance the flavor of the meat and make it softer. Different products need to be marinated for different periods of time depending on how much the flavor wants to be infused into the food.
  • Seasoning: Use dry roasts or seasoning mixtures on the meat products so as to add flavor and bring out that extra taste.

Formulation and Shaping

  • Objective: Produce products that are standardized as well as good-looking.

Process:

  • Nuggets and Kebabs: Ground and pat into round or oval-shaped patties of bite-size or thread on skewers for kebab style of preparation. Control the size and shape through the use of molds, machines that will help in the enhancements of the forms.
  • Wings and Boneless Pieces: Wings always come to the kitchen unfixed, however, they are deployed skinless and shaped by size if it is a boneless piece of meat.

Cooking and Processing

  • Objective: Make certain the meat products are adequately cooked to allow destroy and or eliminate bacteria and to enhance flavor.

Process:

  • Pre-Cooking (Optional): Sometimes the raw materials such as nuggets or kebabs may be even par-cooked or cooked partially and then packed to have enhanced convenience.
  • Final Cooking: This would happen if only the products get to the required internal temperature for safety. This may be done under grilling, baking or frying.

Packaging and Storage

  • Packaging: It is recommended to pack protein products in vacuum packs or in modified atmosphere packs in order to increase shelf life and product quality. See that there are no chances to taint the product through the packaging.
  • Storage: Fresh-cut meat needs to be stored at a temperature of 0-4 degree C (32-39 oF depending on the type of meat to avoid spoiling. Pay attention to that food is stored and transported at an appropriate temperature.

Designing the packaging material for fresh-cut meat

A packaging system is essential for the preservation of the quality and safety of fresh cut meat products. Here are the key types of packaging materials used:

Vacuum-Sealed Bags

  • Objective: Increase product shelf life and keep the food fresh.
  • Materials:
  • Polyethylene (PE): Generally applied due to its stability as well as its ability to be molded easily. PE materials have the advantage of preventing oxygen and moisture from penetrating through vacuum-sealed bags to meats.
  • Multi-Layer Laminates: Possible to blend it with other types of polymers, for example, PET, aluminum foil, and PE to make the film possessing high barrier properties and expected shelf-life.

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)

  • Objective: Better the quality of product to avoid the products from getting spoilt.
  • Materials:
  • Barrier Films: Films that regulate the internal gaseous environment of the package in order to influence its deteriorating rate and ensure it retains its qualities.
  • Gas Mixtures: Add gases such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide to avoid deterioration of fresh meat through putting it in a suitable atmosphere.

Trays and Containers

  • Objective: Offer additional convenience and protectiveness to the product upon display in shops and boutiques.
  • Materials:
  • Plastic Trays: Constructed from such material as PET or HDPE with a view of offering support in addition to storage one on top of the other.
  • Foam Trays: They are cheaper, more affordable and lighter than the other types of packaging materials and are commonly used for portion-sized packages.

Sustainable Packaging Options

  • Objective: That is reduces the level of adverse effects on the environment and targets those consumers who value the environment.
  • Sustainable Practices:
  • Recyclable Materials: Select materials that are easily recycled by the recycling industry, such materials like PET and cardboard.
  • Biodegradable Options: Switch to packaging that is either biodegradable of compostable in order to help save the environment.

Packaging Solutions of Fresh Cut Meat

This means that packaging is important when it comes to the preservation of fresh cut meat products. Here are the key types of packaging materials used:

Vacuum-Sealed Bags

  • Objective: Increase product shelf and maintain product freshness.
  • Materials:
  • Polyethylene (PE): Which is generally utilized for its strength and versatility. PE can be used for vacuum-sealed bags; which help to avoid contact of oxygen and moisture with the meat.
  • Multi-Layer Laminates: alloy with a proportion of PET, aluminum foil, and PE in order to improve the barrier resistance of packaging materials and increase shelf life.

Modified Atmospheric Packaging (MAP).

  • Objective: Softening of food products minimizes their period of stay in shops hence decreasing incidences of food spoilage.
  • Materials:
  • Barrier Films: Employ films that influence the rate of gases exchanged inside the package to support, slow rate of spoiling and maintain a high quality.
  • Gas Mixtures: Use gases such as nitrogen or carbonization to help maintain the freshness of new and fresh meat products.

Trays and Containers

  • Objective: Offer an easy use and secure way of displaying products in point-of-sales outlets.
  • Materials:
  • Plastic Trays: Available in PET or HDPE, offering protection, rigidity, and vertical nesting.
  • Foam Trays: Lightweight and cheaper than other materials, commonly used for single portion or small portion packs.