Sensory Evaluation of Irradiated Ground Beef Patties for the National School Lunch Program

ABSTRACT: The 2002 Farm Bill allows irradiated ground beef to be distributed in the Natl. School Lunch Program (NSLP). Sensory properties of irradiated ground beef specified for the NSLP were evaluated. Frozen ground beef patties with 15% fat content were either not irradiated or irradiated at doses of 1.35 and 3.0 kGy. Aroma, taste, aftertaste, and texture as well as overall liking of cooked patties after 0 and 6 mo of storage were evaluated using nontrained panels. Results showed that irradiation had no significant ( P > 0.05) effect on the ratings of any of the sensory attributes either at 0 or after 6 mo of storage. Average ratings of liking of aroma, taste, aftertaste, and overall were higher at 6 mo than at 0 mo.