Deli Counter Question

[colos99]

Is the meat you buy at the deli counter in the grocery store processed?

When I ask them to cut up 500 grams of turkey or chicken brest is there any difference in the meat at the deli counter compared to the uncooked turkey or chicken breasts I normally buy?

 

[maxpro2]

Is the meat you buy at the deli counter in the grocery store processed?

When I ask them to cut up 500 grams of turkey or chicken brest is there any difference in the meat at the deli counter compared to the uncooked turkey or chicken breasts I normally buy?

The turkey comes in a massive pre-package block of just meat, no bones or anything else in it... you tell me.

 

[Fitgirl70]

Yes, any deli meat is processed!

I would stick to pure/unprocessed/free range if you can find it! As far as chicken and turkey is concerned, I always buy Smart Chicken. It is antibiotic fee and hormone free, free range chicken. Very good too

 

[boilermaker]

Is the meat you buy at the deli counter in the grocery store processed?

When I ask them to cut up 500 grams of turkey or chicken brest is there any difference in the meat at the deli counter compared to the uncooked turkey or chicken breasts I normally buy?

Most all of it is injected with a brine solution, high in salt to help preserve it and keep bacteria counts on the product down.

 

[boilermaker]

Most all of it is injected with a brine solution, high in salt to help preserve it and keep bacteria counts on the product down.

And some of this is post-pasteurized after packaging because the bacteria counts in the brine build up over time. The brine is recirculated continuously. In other words inject, collect runoff, pump back to holding tank to remix with brine, inject, collect runoff, repeat. Once bacteria loads in the brine build to an unsafe level, the brine is dumped or enough makeup is added to bring the counts down.

 

[Fitgirl70]

WOW!!! interesting information BM

 

[boilermaker]

Here is a picture of a turkey brine tank

 

[boilermaker]

Free Range Chicken

Here are the current definitions of Free Range with regards to poultry. Source is Wikipedia

The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that chickens raised for their meat have access to the outdoors in order to receive the free-range certification. Free-range chicken eggs, however, have no legal definition in the United States. Likewise, free-range egg producers have no common standard on what the term means. Many egg farmers sell their eggs as free range merely because their cages are 2 or 3 inches above average size, or there is a window in the shed.

In the UK, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs says that a free range chicken must have daytime access to open-air runs during at least half of their life. Unlike in the United States, this definition also applies to eggs [1].

The European Union regulates marketing standards for egg farming which specifies a minimum condition for Free Range Eggs states that hens have continuous daytime access to open-air runs, except in the case of temporary restrictions imposed by veterinary authorities [2].

 

[JimSnow]

I'm a retail grocery manager.

All the Deli Supplies are pre-packaged. If your looking for processed foods that appeal to the masses... go to the Deli. In fact, if you're "in" with the meat cutter at your local grocer... he'll slice you up some nice ribeyes from his pre-packaged stuff. Better route though - not usually injected or molded into stuff that looks "pretty".

 

[boilermaker]

I'm a retail grocery manager.

All the Deli Supplies are pre-packaged. If your looking for processed foods that appeal to the masses... go to the Deli. In fact, if you're "in" with the meat cutter at your local grocer... he'll slice you up some nice ribeyes from his pre-packaged stuff. Better route though - not usually injected or molded into stuff that looks "pretty".

Good advice, Jim. Same with whole turkey breasts or any other cut you would like sliced.

 

[JimSnow]

By the way....

buy only fresh fish that has "no odor". If it smells like fish... it's NOT fresh.

Consumer Tip of the Day.

 

[Plateau_Max]

I've found free range chicken/turkey to be the safest and most flavorful, a kitchen scale saves you from subjecting yourself to anything from the deli when you're after exact amounts.

I like to marinate my poultry because I can add dietary conscious flavor as well as work in some extra vitamines. Try cooking 6 or 8 breasts at once, then save the ones you don't eat for later, 'cause then you can just shred it and toss it into some stir fry or what not and it only takes a couple minutes.

 

[boilermaker]

And always search near the top of the display for fresh fruits and veggies because stock is rotated down to the bottom.

 

[Fitgirl70]

here, our grocer has told me that stock is rotated to the front....meaning oldest product to the front/top because they want to get rid of the oldest product first in order to save on food costs and save the "newer" product for later buy...this saves on food costs and they don't have to purchase as often!

 

[Fitgirl70]

Here is a picture of a turkey brine tank

That's just disgusting!

 

[JimSnow]

And always search near the top of the display for fresh fruits and veggies because stock is rotated down to the bottom.

Non-parishable goods are rarely rotated in even the better grocery stores, except by a general schedule that is often 'low priority'. Out-of-Date product is sent back and mostly compensated. Generally shop the items in front.

Parishable items often suffer the "rath" of man hours alotted vs. man hours used. But since the emphasis nowadays is more geared toward 'image', "clean and fresh, natural"... and perishable items are "shrink - uncompensated loss"... shop the back - beware, though.

While you're shopping your produce department... lift up some of those racks that holds your produce. See if your local grocer is keeping the 'underneath' clean. That's a good indication of how seriously they take their biz.

 

[maxpro2]

here, our grocer has told me that stock is rotated to the front....meaning oldest product to the front/top because they want to get rid of the oldest product first in order to save on food costs and save the "newer" product for later buy...this saves on food costs and they don't have to purchase as often!

Yeah... that's what just about every store does everywhere.

 

[tucker01]

If you chose to use Deli meat, find a store the sells Boar's head

 

[boilermaker]

If you chose to use Deli meat, find a store the sells Boar's head

They have a higher quality product than most, but it is injected with brine, just the same as everyone elses.