Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Controlled-release of Chlorine Dioxide in a Perforated Packaging System to Extend the Storage Life and Improve the Safety of Grape Tomatoes
Published on: April 7, 2017
Proper Control of Retail Case Temperature Improves Beef Shelf Life 1
G Gordon Greer1, L E Jeremiah1
1Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Lacombe, Alberta, TOC 1SO, Canada.
Abstract:
Using laboratory-simulated retail conditions, a variety of retail case blower temperatures were selected to determine their influence upon the surface temperature of displayed rib eye steaks, bacterial growth and steak shelf life. Steak surface temperature was found to be significantly correlated with blower temperature and exceeded the temperature of the incoming blower air by 9 C. Furthermore, bacterial generation time and steak shelf life were significantly and inversely related to blower temperature. Shelf life was also dependent upon the initial psychrotrophic bacterial load. Retail blower temperature could be easily adjusted to reduce steak surface temperature to 2 C, and thereby extend the visual shelf life from 3.8 to 8.2 days. From a practical standpoint, these results indicate that a relatively simple temperature adjustment by the retailer could improve the microbial quality and more than double the shelf life of meats on display.
More Related Videos
05:49Tracking Microbial Contamination in Retail Environments Using Fluorescent Powder - A Retail Delicatessen Environment Example
Published on: March 5, 2014
12:14Exploring Life History Choices: Using Temperature and Substrate Type as Interacting Factors for Blowfly Larval and Female Preferences
Published on: November 17, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Half-life of a Reaction
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Temperature
Characteristics of Life
The Angiosperm Life Cycle
Overview of Connective Tissues Proper
The loose connective tissues have a meshwork of thin collagen and elastin fibers, which provide tensile strength for support and enough elasticity to move...
The Tree of Life - Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryotes