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EU council paves way for lactic acid use in beef
Story Date: 12/3/2012
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Source: MEATINGPLACE, 11/30/12
The European Commission received the green light to authorize the use of lactic acid to reduce microbial surface contamination in beef carcasses, a move sought by USDA.
At a meeting of the European Union Agriculture and Fisheries Council this week in Brussels, ministers failed to reach a majority decision either for or against the proposal, which allows the commission to finalize a regulation permitting use of the antimicrobial treatment.
The commission’s proposal follows an application from the U.S. Department of Agriculture seeking approval to use lactic acid to reduce surface contamination in beef. Lactic acid is widely used by U.S. beef industry.
The European Food Safety Authority this summer backed the use of lactic acid as a safe and effective antimicrobial treatment on beef carcasses, concluding the treatment would not be a safety concern provided that the substance used complies with EU specifications for food additives.
In July, the EU opened an increased import quota for beef not treated with hormones. Authorization of the use of lactic acid would allow the United States to fill this export quota.
For more stories, go to http://www.meatingplace.com/.
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