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Retail display case lighting applications |
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Color of Fresh Beef
in Retail Meat Display Cases
Various studies have found that consumers consider color to be the most
important factor when judging the freshness and acceptability of beef;
they prefer beef cuts that are bright red, even though beef steaks of
various colors ranging from pale pink to very dark red are indistinguishable
with regards to taste, tenderness, and juiciness.
If the beef is not
sold when it is blooming and at its optimal bright cherry red color,
it becomes a loss to the retail store because consumers are reluctant
to purchase it, forcing the store to sell it at discounted prices,
rewrap it to sell in a different format, or discard it, even though this
beef
is still safe to eat.
For
meat science references and excerpts click here.
Promolux True Color Definition Lamps
Promolux Safe Spectrum balanced full spectrum lamps emit lower levels
of heat and ultraviolet radiation than regular supermarket fluorescent
lamps, thus reducing the rate of meat decomposition. Compared to other
fluorescent lighting, Promolux lamps emit 86% lower UV B radiation, a
shorter wavelength that penetrates and causes heating, and 52% lower
UV A radiation, a longer wavelength that tends to affect surfaces.
Because
Promolux lamps are designed for true color definition, they have a
more balanced visible spectrum than other fluorescent lamps. The yellow
and
green wavelengths that are predominant in regular fluorescent lighting
are the most damaging wavelengths in the visible spectrum.
Promolux
lamps emit a more balanced range of wavelengths, including more of
the red
and blue wavelengths and more moderate levels of the yellow and green
wavelengths. This balance ensures that the cherry red of blooming
beef its white fat and marbling are displayed in their true colors, rather
than appearing brownish with yellowed or pink fat as often happens
with regular meat display lighting.
FRESH BEEF
DISPLAYS IN RETAIL SUPERMARKETS
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and other
groups estimate that up to $1 billion in beef are wasted each year
in the United States, a loss of four to five percent of the wholesale
price, while in Canada it is estimated that $200 million are lost
each year as a result of beef spoilage in supermarket meat departments. <more...>
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FRESH BEEF COLOR
Various studies have found that consumers consider color
to be the most important factor when judging the freshness and
acceptability of beef: they prefer beef cuts that are bright red. <more...>
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BACTERIA AND
FRESH BEEF DISPLAYS
Bacteria contribute to the discoloration and spoilage of beef by accelerating
the oxidation of myoglobin to metmyoglobin, the pigment that causes fresh
meat to look brown. <more...>
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TEMPERATURE,
LIGHTING, AND FRESH BEEF DISPLAYS
Average steak surface temperatures are 8 to 10° C
higher than the temperature recorded on the display case thermometer,
sometimes fluctuating to 20° C higher particularly when the
meat was exposed to meat display case lighting. At higher temperatures,
bacteria grows exponentially. <more...>
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ULTRAVIOLET
LIGHT AND FRESH BEEF DISPLAYS
After 17 days, meat under regular supermarket lighting
had much larger percentages of surface metmyoglobin, higher levels
of psychrotrophic bacteria, and poorer odour quality than the beef
displayed under Promolux lights or beef kept in darkness. <more...>
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Promolux True Color Definition Lamps
Promolux Safe Spectrum balanced full spectrum lamps emit lower levels
of heat and ultraviolet radiation than regular supermarket fluorescent
lamps, thus reducing the rate of meat decomposition. Compared to other
fluorescent lighting, Promolux lamps emit 86% lower UV B radiation, a
shorter wavelength that penetrates and causes heating, and 52% lower
UV A radiation, a longer wavelength that tends to affect surfaces.
Because
Promolux lamps are designed for true color definition, they have a more
balanced visible spectrum than other fluorescent lamps. The yellow and
green wavelengths that are predominant in regular fluorescent lighting
are the most damaging wavelengths in the visible spectrum.
Promolux lamps emit a more balanced range of wavelengths, including
more of the red and blue wavelengths and more moderate levels of the
yellow and green wavelengths. This balance ensures that the cherry red
of blooming beef its white fat and marbling are displayed in their true
colors, rather than appearing brownish with yellowed or pink fat as often
happens with regular meat display lighting.
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