Verification of the Labelling of Previously Frozen Meat and Poultry by Measurement of B-Hydroxyacyl-CoA Dehydrogenase (HADH) Activity

Food Labelling & Standards Division, Minisuy ofAgriculture, l,isheries and Food, j20 Ergon House, 17 Smith Squdre, London SWIP 3.IR This paper is presenled in two parts. Port I collates and introduces the findings from several MAFF-funded studies which inyestigoted improyements to existing methodologlt for determining whether nteat has been previously Jrozen. Part ll presents the results of a survey carried out on behalf of the Working Party on Food Authenticity to iwestigdte whether meat and poultry which was being presenled /br sale in a chilled or ombienl condilion, through o number of retail outlel types, was correctly labelled when it had been previously frozen. “[J-hydroxyacyl-Co A dehydrogenase (HADH) is naturally present in muscle mitochondria and is released when these orgonelles are damaged during freezing and thcwing. Measuremenl o/ increased ctmounts of HADH activity in juice expressed from a meat sample gives on indication L1s to v,hether the meat has been previously frozen.