July 4, 2007

Finland may see cut in marinated meats

Even as marinated meat now forms the majority of meat sold in Finland, consumers are increasingly looking for unmarinated ones.

In Finland, more than 80 percent of all poultry and more than half of beef and pork is sold in ready-made marinades.

However, according to Finnish food industry company HK Ruokatalo's technology manager Kari Sipila, the popularity of unflavoured meat is increasing.

One of the most common flavour enhancing additives is monosodium glutamate, E-number 621, which consumers considered familiar and safe.

However, increasing awareness that the additive can cause migraine and overactiveness is also causing consumers to shift to unmarinated meats, Sipila said.