Absorbent pads help retain packaged meat colour

A new absorbent pad prevents meat discolouration while retaining moisture in packaging, its manufacturer claims.

Sirane claims its Dri-Fresh Resolve absorbent meat pad uses a highly developed surface that makes packaged products more appealing to customers over the shelf life of the product. To make packaged meat more appealing to consumers, absorbent pads are added to soak up leaking blood. However, these can become dry, which in turn dries the meat leading to discolouration. Sirane claims to have solved the problem. Dri-Fresh Resolve contains a breathable surface that allows oxygen to interact with the base of the meat, which tends to go brown if deprived of air contact. The pad controls the surface moisture of the meat which ensures the underneath looks as good as the top, the company claims. Sirane said pads are manufactured without adhesives or bonding materials, and as such are completely food safe. No loss of absorbency occurs during the packaging lifespan and the pads absorbent layers do not delaminate, claims the company. Dri-Fresh is available in absorbency levels of 800, 1700 and 3000cc/m2 and comes in range of colours, shapes and sizes to suit all applications. Pads can be composted after use, which reduces the environmental packaging waste burden on landfill. Dri-Fresh Resolve was exhibited by Sirane at the Convenience Retailing Show NEC Birmingham and Pro2Pac 2007 London, earlier this month. UK-based Sirane manufactures a range of packaging and other products including specialised absorbents, bio-degradable, microwaveable and ovenable materials and protective materials for a number of food and other applications.