NEW HEALTHY MEAT PRODUCTS CONTAINING VEGETABLES

The aim of this study was to develop new healthy meat products that can create a new market platform, for example a new meat snack product. Two new healthy meat spreads consisting of 40% pork and 40-50% butternut and carrot or green pea and split pea were developed. The products can, for example, be used as a dip for snacks or as a sandwich spread. The products had a very low fat content between 0.7-3.8%, a low salt level (1.1%) and a protein content between 11.3-14.8%. The products were produced by chopping pork filet, vegetables and seasoning and mixing them to a smooth texture. The products were either pasteurised/vacuum-packed or preserved by addition of 1% sodium lactate and MA-packed. The MA-packed product had a shelf-life between 7-21 days, and the pasteurised product a shelf-life of at least 28 days. A sensory test showed a significant increase in sour taste in the pea product after 21 days' storage at 5°C, whereas few changes were observed in the butternut products. A consumer test showed that pea spread was the most preferred product. For consumption, most consumers chose dip (54%) or sandwich spread (46%) as the best use for the spreads