The US Meat Export Foundation issued a guidance document including Beefxide as an approved antimicrobial intervention product based on discussions between the US Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service and the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Birko said the components of Beefxide can be found on a list of approved food additives published by the Ministry.
“As the only company to offer an intervention portfolio including Beefxide, lactic and PAA, Birko is uniquely positioned to provide multi-hurdle interventions to processors wherever their export markets are located,” said Mark Swanson, CEO of Birko.
Beefxide is a blend of lactic acid, citric acid and potassium hydroxide. It may be used without labeling at concentrations up to 2.5 percent 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. Skinned livers must be drained at least two minutes after application and before packaging, Birko said.
Birko is a leading provider of food safety solutions for the meat, produce and beverage industries. The company also manufactures products used in plant cleaning and sanitation, as well as antimicrobial interventions.
