There are some who see using carbon monoxide to keep meat red longer as deceptive at best and potentially dangerous at worst.
Conversely, proponents of using the gas in meat packaging will point out that it reduces waste (people buy on appearance and often won't purchase safe product with brown in it) and helps to stop the spread of dangerous bacteria. The case-ready packaging requires less handling than meat wrapped in stores.
The issue came before a hearing of the House's Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations yesterday, according to a Reuters report.
Rep. Bart Stupak, Michigan Democrat and chairman of the subcommittee, is among those who oppose the use of carbon monoxide even though none of the recent recalls of meat have been for product sold in that type of packaging.
Congressional scrutiny and opposition from some consumer groups has led chains operated by Safeway and Ahold to discontinue sales of meat with the packaging. Tyson has also chosen not to use the packaging as part of its meat processing business.
Yesterday, Target asked the U.S. Agriculture Department for permission to label meats that have been treated with carbon monoxide. The company is looking to urge consumers to make purchasing decisions based on "use by" dates rather than the color of the meat.
The USDA is believed likely to approve Target's request (meat processors Hormel and Cargill are also likely to go along) as long as the claims made on labels are not deemed to be misleading in any way.
Rep. Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican, defended packaging with carbon monoxide.
"There is no need for the federal government to implement overzealous regulations that would likely take a step backward and away from safe and efficient meat packaging," she said.
Discussion Questions: Do you believe that consumers are somehow more at risk with meat in packages containing carbon monoxide? Is there a need for special labeling such as that requested by Target? Will the label be enough to alleviate the concerns some have with this type of packaging? Is there a possibility the label could backfire and impede sales of meat?