'Meating' a solution: Research finds that LED lights extend meat shelf life, save retailers money

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/jan12/meatshelflife11712.html

[font face=Times, Serif]Source: Elizabeth Boyle, 785-532-1247, [e-mail]
Newstip/hometown interest: Silver Lake and Wichita, Kan.; St. Louis, Mo.; and Collinwood, Tenn.
Note to editor: Kyle Steele is a 2006 graduate of Silver Lake Jr./Sr. High School.
News release prepared by: Jennifer Tidball, 785-532-0847, [e-mail]

Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012

[font size=5]'Meating' a solution: Research finds that LED lights extend meat shelf life, save retailers money[/font]

[font size=3]MANHATTAN -- A switch to LED lights in refrigeration units could save the retail meat industry millions of dollars each year, according to research from Kansas State University.

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Steele compared the use of LED lights and fluorescent lights in meat refrigeration units because many meat retailers currently use fluorescent lights. He worked with Elizabeth Boyle and Melvin Hunt, both professors of animal sciences and industry, as well as with Melissa Weber, recent doctoral graduate in animal sciences and industry, Collinwood, Tenn.

During refrigerated display, the color of fresh meat changes because of its natural chemistry and exposure to oxygen. Because color is a large factor that influences customers in purchasing meat, some consumers discriminate against discolored meat. These discolored meat products must either be discounted or discarded, which has been estimated to cost the meat industry up to a billion dollars each year, Steele said.

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The researchers found that LED lights scored positively in nearly all areas. Most significantly, LED lights helped reduce operating costs and prolonged the shelf life for most of the meat products.

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[txlibdem]

1. Since each pound of beef takes 1,500 gallons of water to produce (from birth through processing)

... this is yet another benefit to LED lights over incandescent and fluorescent or CFL.

As I write this my living room is lit by 100% LED light bulbs and LED light strips so I might be a little biased on the topic.