Safety and Quality Control in Meat Processing

Dear Colleagues,

Meat is inherently susceptible to spoilage, representing a perishable food commodity prone to microbial degradation and quality deterioration. The principal mechanisms that drive the spoilage of meat include the enzymatic breakdown of proteins and fats, triggering alterations in its organoleptic properties and aroma,  ultimately compromising its edibility and safety. Safety and quality control in meat processing is thus a paramount concern in the food industry, given the potential risks associated with microbial contamination, chemical hazards, and other factors that can compromise the safety and integrity of meat products. This Special Issue invites contributions that elucidate the intricacies of meat spoilage mechanisms, encompassing microbial activities, enzymatic reactions, and oxidative and denaturation processes. This Special Issue welcomes original research articles, reviews, and methodological papers that cover a broad spectrum of topics related to safety and quality control in meat processing. Contributions may encompass, but are not limited to, the following:

• Microbiological safety measures in meat processing;
• Enzymatic and biochemical aspects influencing meat quality;
• Oxidative stability and lipid preservation in meat products;
• Emerging technologies used for the real-time monitoring of meat freshness;
• Advances in packaging techniques for an extended shelf life.

Dr. Yuemei Zhang
Dr. Changyu Zhou
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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-blind 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.