Egypt  | USMEF Uses Research And Science To Expand Access For U.S. Beef Pro...

Egypt 

USMEF Uses Research And Science To Expand Access For U.S. Beef Products

A USMEF study researching the effects of frozen storage on color, flavor, protein, quality and safety of U.S. beef livers, hearts and kidneys prompted Egypt last month to ease its restrictions on shelf life of U.S. beef products, providing U.S. exporters with more flexibility.

“This enables U.S. beef exporters to continue providing safe, nutritious and high quality products to important international markets like Egypt,” said Kevin Smith, USMEF assistant director, export services.

USMEF determined there were harmless amounts of protein degradation, lipid oxidation and overall rancidity of frozen storage of livers, hearts and kidneys stored up to 320 days – or almost 10 months.

USMEF presented the study and results to the Egyptian government last November. Based on this meeting, Egypt changed shelf-life requirements for hearts and kidneys from four months to seven months.

Egypt also removed requirements that product had to reach the country with 50 percent of its shelf life remaining and product had to be shipped within two months of production.

“USMEF applauds the Egyptian government for recognizing science and making appropriate policy changes based on this science,” Smith said.

The outdated regulations were based on antiquated research. USMEF research recognized advances in cold chain management, sanitation and packaging techniques have resulted in longer storage periods, extending shelf life.

Central America

Retail Meat Management Boosted By USMEF Efforts In Dominican Republic

Sometimes starting with the quality of the retail store environment is a simple yet indirect way to improve meat sales. With that in mind, USMEF last week returned from an initial visit to Grupo Ramos retail stores in the Dominican Republic where USMEF is working to improve meat management and marketing procedures in its stores to boost sales of U.S. meat.

Grupo Ramos operates some 50 stores in the Dominican Republic. It is working with USMEF to improve its meat management practices and offer its customers a higher quality shopping environment.  

“We are very interested in learning how U.S. retail stores manage and promote meat products and applying similar practices in our stores,” said Jose Antonio Rodriguez, Grupo Ramos vice president. “We also are excited to be the first retail chain in the Dominican Republic to be working with USMEF in this effort.”

USMEF held a meat management seminar June 21 for more than 30 meat managers to explain general manufacturing practices, hazard analysis critical control points (HACCP), hygiene, cooking methods, cutting techniques and retail display practices.

USMEF Mexico Director Gilberto Lozano provided information on U.S. beef and pork and USMEF Mexico Retail Manager Gustavo Castano talked about meat marketing in retail stores.

After USMEF analyzes results from this initial tour of Grupo Ramos stores, it will develop a plan of action for the stores to effectively market U.S. meat in efforts to boost sales.

Cuba

USMEF Helps U.S. Meat Products Gain Access To Event In Cuba

USMEF returned last week after meeting with ALIMPORT, Cuba’s food import agency, in Havana with an invitation to return in August with U.S. meat exporters for an event where more than 50 Cuban distributors interested in U.S. meat will be on hand to learn more about attributes and cuts of U.S. meat products.

USMEF and ALIMPORT are working together to organize the event, tentatively scheduled for mid-August. USMEF plans to offer a seminar so distributors can learn more about different U.S. meat cuts, attributes and qualities. The tourist district distributors are also interested in presentation methods of U.S. meat products that are successful in America.

Last year ALIMPORT imported meat primarily from Canada, Australia and Uruguay. They are interested in learning more about U.S. meat since they have heard its of high quality. This coordinated event is an effort to provide the information they need to increase U.S. meat sales in Cuba.

USMEF will provide more information as plans for this event progress.

Egypt 

USMEF Uses Research And Science To Expand Access For U.S. Beef Products

A USMEF study researching the effects of frozen storage on color, flavor, protein, quality and safety of U.S. beef livers, hearts and kidneys prompted Egypt last month to ease its restrictions on shelf life of U.S. beef products, providing U.S. exporters with more flexibility.

“This enables U.S. beef exporters to continue providing safe, nutritious and high quality products to important international markets like Egypt,” said Kevin Smith, USMEF assistant director, export services.

USMEF determined there were harmless amounts of protein degradation, lipid oxidation and overall rancidity of frozen storage of livers, hearts and kidneys stored up to 320 days – or almost 10 months.

USMEF presented the study and results to the Egyptian government last November. Based on this meeting, Egypt changed shelf-life requirements for hearts and kidneys from four months to seven months.

Egypt also removed requirements that product had to reach the country with 50 percent of its shelf life remaining and product had to be shipped within two months of production.

“USMEF applauds the Egyptian government for recognizing science and making appropriate policy changes based on this science,” Smith said.

The outdated regulations were based on antiquated research. USMEF research recognized advances in cold chain management, sanitation and packaging techniques have resulted in longer storage periods, extending shelf life.

Central America

Retail Meat Management Boosted By USMEF Efforts In Dominican Republic

Sometimes starting with the quality of the retail store environment is a simple yet indirect way to improve meat sales. With that in mind, USMEF last week returned from an initial visit to Grupo Ramos retail stores in the Dominican Republic where USMEF is working to improve meat management and marketing procedures in its stores to boost sales of U.S. meat.

Grupo Ramos operates some 50 stores in the Dominican Republic. It is working with USMEF to improve its meat management practices and offer its customers a higher quality shopping environment.  

“We are very interested in learning how U.S. retail stores manage and promote meat products and applying similar practices in our stores,” said Jose Antonio Rodriguez, Grupo Ramos vice president. “We also are excited to be the first retail chain in the Dominican Republic to be working with USMEF in this effort.”

USMEF held a meat management seminar June 21 for more than 30 meat managers to explain general manufacturing practices, hazard analysis critical control points (HACCP), hygiene, cooking methods, cutting techniques and retail display practices.

USMEF Mexico Director Gilberto Lozano provided information on U.S. beef and pork and USMEF Mexico Retail Manager Gustavo Castano talked about meat marketing in retail stores.

After USMEF analyzes results from this initial tour of Grupo Ramos stores, it will develop a plan of action for the stores to effectively market U.S. meat in efforts to boost sales.

Cuba

USMEF Helps U.S. Meat Products Gain Access To Event In Cuba

USMEF returned last week after meeting with ALIMPORT, Cuba’s food import agency, in Havana with an invitation to return in August with U.S. meat exporters for an event where more than 50 Cuban distributors interested in U.S. meat will be on hand to learn more about attributes and cuts of U.S. meat products.

USMEF and ALIMPORT are working together to organize the event, tentatively scheduled for mid-August. USMEF plans to offer a seminar so distributors can learn more about different U.S. meat cuts, attributes and qualities. The tourist district distributors are also interested in presentation methods of U.S. meat products that are successful in America.

Last year ALIMPORT imported meat primarily from Canada, Australia and Uruguay. They are interested in learning more about U.S. meat since they have heard its of high quality. This coordinated event is an effort to provide the information they need to increase U.S. meat sales in Cuba.

USMEF will provide more information as plans for this event progress.