The U.S. Department of Agriculture just added liquid sodium propionate to the list of antimicrobials approved for ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products. 

The compound, trade-named BactoCEASE™  by Kemin Industries, provides an alternative to lactate-diacetate that traditionally was used to control Listeria monocytogenes. Liquid sodium propionate will be added to the next revision to FSIS Directive 7120.1 and may be used without in in-plant waiver beginning May 6, 2013.

BactoCEASE™ is a propionic acid-based antimicrobial system that controls Listeria monocytogenes, a difficult to control and sometimes deadly food-borne pathogen found in RTE meat and poultry. It also reduces microbial spoilage, extends shelf-life and increases the safety of RTE meat and poultry products. Lactates, in contrast, perform inconsistently.

“This is a game-changer for manufacturers of Ready-to-Eat meat and poultry products and consumers who value the quality and safety of those foods,” says Chris Nelson, Kemin president and CEO.

Multiple replications performed showed BactoCEASE consistently inhibited Listeria in turkey, ham and roast beef for an average of 10-12 weeks depending on the meat application.  IN contrast, meat treated with lactate-diacetate showed greater than 1 log increase in Listeria populations after four weeks in replication one, and after eight weeks in replication two.

Kemin data indicates BactoCEASE™ perform more consistently than traditional lactates and also may be applied applied at lower rates than Lactates without harming the sensory and quality attributes of the meat and poultry products.

“Preservatives are necessary to keep RTE meat and poultry products safe from foodborne pathogens. However, consumers do not want to see large amounts in their products,” notes Betsy Blades, director of marketing, food technologies, Kemin. “Being able to minimize the rates at which the preservatives are applied and maintain product safety is important to meeting consumer demand.” 

Kemin, a global leader in liquid propionic acid-based technology, first petitioned FSIS requesting the amendment of 9 CFR 424.21(c) to list liquid sodium propionate as an acceptable antimicrobial agent for use in RTE meat and poultry products in 2010. Under the MOU agreement between the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and FSIS, FDA reviewed the ingredients for Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status and FSIS for suitability as an antimicrobial in various meat and poultry products. FDA concluded liquid sodium propionate to be GRAS. The petition was posted for public comments on the Federal Register on May 7, 2012. The Final Rule was approved on March 7, 2013 and liquid sodium propionate will be added to the next FSIS Directive 7120.1 revision. Effective May 6, 2013 liquid sodium propionate can be used without an in-plant waiver.