A meat diaper or meat absorbent pad refers to the absorbent pad found in
pre-packaged meats. Its purpose is to absorb the juices released from the meat during storage and transportation, helping maintain the meat's appearance and reduce
spoilage.[1] The case-ready meat almost always contain one or two meat diapers which absorb and retain the "purge", or the juices, blood, and other fluids that seep from the meats which may be unsightly for the consumer, leaks, is messy, and is often contaminated with bacteria.[2]
Chilling meat can help reduce the amount of
exudate that's released from the meat, which is also known as drip, purge, or weep.[3] However, it's normal for meat to lose 1-2% of its weight due to this liquid loss, while anything more is considered excessive.[3]
Several constructions have been developed.[5][6] The absorbent pads are typically made from materials such as cellulose, silica gel,
sorbentnonwoven fabric,
superabsorbent polymers. or other absorptive materials that can hold a significant amount of liquid relative to their size. They are usually covered in a non-toxic plastic wrapping that allows the liquid to seep in and stay trapped within the pad.
Antimicrobials are sometimes included.[7][8] The pads help regulated
drip loss and their size is in part determined by the
meat water holding capacity.[9]
Readily biodegradable meat drip pads are available, though in limited use due to their higher costs.[10] While packaging waste is a concern, the main priority for vendors is to minimize food waste caused by spoilage.[11]
^Casson, Andrea; Giovenzana, Valentina; Frigerio, Valeria; Zambelli, Martina; Beghi, Roberto; Pampuri, Alessia; Tugnolo, Alessio; Merlini, Annachiara; Colombo, Lorenzo; Limbo, Sara; Guidetti, Riccardo (December 2022). "Beyond the eco-design of case-ready beef packaging: The relationship between food waste and shelf-life as a key element in life cycle assessment". Food Packaging and Shelf Life. 34: 100943.
doi:
10.1016/j.fpsl.2022.100943.
hdl:2434/937665.
^He, Y; Li, B; Du, J; Cao, S; Liu, M; Li, X; Ren, D; Wu, X; Xu, D (15 March 2022). "Development of pH-responsive absorbent pad based on polyvinyl alcohol/agarose/anthocyanins for meat packaging and freshness indication". International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 201: 203–215.
doi:
10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.12.171.
PMID34995663.