Clean Label Strategies and Quality Optimization in Sustainable Meat Science
A Special Issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158) belonging to the section "Meat".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2027 | Viewed by 219
Editors
Interests: by-products; meat products; clean label; healthy food; natural additives; collagen; gelatin; glycosaminoglycans
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: bioactive compounds; free from foods; secondary metabolites; biopreservation; protective cultures; fresh meat products; cured meats; aged meats; matured meats
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: meat quality; meat flavor; meat processing; meat safty; alternative proteins
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: food composition; protein; nutritional value; health; functional properties; bioactive compounds; food texture and structure; sensory acceptance; shelf-life; innovative food ingredients; sustainable food systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The evolving landscape of global food systems places increasing pressure on the meat industry to balance productivity with environmental responsibility and consumer well-being. As demand for animal protein continues to rise, the imperative placed on sustainable practices, transparency in food production and superior product quality has never been more critical. In response to evolving consumer demands for transparency, health and naturalness, the meat industry is undergoing a significant transformation toward "clean label" practices. Modern consumers increasingly scrutinize ingredient lists, seeking products with recognizable, simple components and minimal processing. This shift presents both challenges and opportunities for meat scientists and producers striving to maintain product quality, safety and shelf-life while adhering to clean label principles.
This Special Issue aims to consolidate cutting-edge research focused on the intersection of clean label strategies and meat quality optimization, focusing on the development and application of natural ingredients, minimal processing techniques and clean labeling to meet consumer desires for healthier, more transparent meat products. Here, we invite original research and comprehensive review articles that explore innovative approaches to reformulating meat products. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Development and application of natural preservatives, antioxidants and antimicrobials (e.g., plant extracts, essential oils, fermented ingredients) in meat products.
- Utilization of clean-label functional ingredients to replace phosphates, nitrites and other synthetic additives.
- Impact of minimal processing technologies (e.g., high-pressure processing, cold plasma) on the quality, safety and sensory attributes of meat.
- Strategies to maintain or enhance sensory quality, texture and flavor profiles using natural ingredients.
- Consumer perceptions and market trends driving the adoption of clean-label meat products.
- Innovations in reducing sodium, fat and allergen content while maintaining product integrity.
Prof. Dr. Alexandre T. Alfaro
Dr. Pedrão Mayka Reghiany
Prof. Dr. Mingwu Zang
Prof. Dr. María José Beriáin Apesteguía
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Foods is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- sustainable meat
- clean label
- meat quality
- natural ingredients
- minimal processing
- sensory attributes
- consumer trends
- healthy meat products
- sodium reduction
- nitrite alternatives
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
