Earlier this fall, Birko’s Beefxide® was confirmed as acceptable for use on beef products intended for export to Japan. This is a milestone for us, since it uniquely positions Birko as the only company to offer an intervention portfolio including Beefxide®, lactic and peracetic acid (PAA).
It also means that Birko can provide multi-hurdle interventions to processors wherever their export markets are located. And, it’s significant news for the Japanese Beef Audits, which began Dec. 2, 2013, since the USDA-FSIS gave official notice that beef and veal destined for export to Japan from cattle slaughtered on and after Nov. 25 can only be treated with approved antimicrobial washes.
Beefxide® is now included on the approved Food Additives List published by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW). The complete list of antimicrobial washes approved by Japan was published in the FSIS Export Library on Nov. 25, 2013. The approved compound list only applies to beef and veal products destined for Japan at this time.
Beefxide® was previously listed in FSIS Directive 7120.1, Safe and Suitable Ingredients Used in the Production of Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products.
Birko’s Birkoside™ MP-2, a PAA blend, has not yet been approved for use on beef products intended for export to Japan. However, it is on a fast track approval process and the Japanese MHLW has issued a release stating that in the meantime, it will accept beef products treated with PAA until a final determination is made.
