Exploring the Nexus of Feeding and Processing: Implications for Meat Quality and Sensory Perception

1. Introduction

Meat and meat products provide essential high-quality proteins and easily absorbable micronutrients, including vital vitamins and minerals, which are crucial for a balanced human diet [1]. Quality is a subjective and dynamic concept but usually accepted as “the products characteristics that correspond to the consumers expectations”. The quality and sensory perception of meat and meat products are critical factors that influence consumer preferences and market success [2,3]. As the global demand for high-quality meat products continues to rise [4,5], understanding the intricate relationship between feeding practices and processing technologies, that can influence meat and meat products quality, becomes increasingly important. This revision paper delves into the multifaceted interactions that shape meat quality from farm to fork.

The paper is structured around four key themes. First, it examines the impact of diet composition and feed additives or supplements on meat quality parameters. This section explores how various diet compositions, and the inclusion of feed additives can influence meat quality attributes such as physicochemical characteristics, sensory attributes (tenderness, juiciness, flavor), and nutritional value by analyzing the results obtained by various authors [6,7,8]. By exploring recent research and advancements, the paper highlights the pivotal role of feeding strategies in enhancing meat quality.

Next, the paper investigates advances in processing technologies and their effects on meat preservation and sensory characteristics. This part focuses on the latest innovations in meat processing technologies, including methods for preservation, and enhancement of sensory characteristics, including thermal [9,10,11] and non-thermal processes [12,13,14], as well as the use of chemical or bio-preservatives [15]. The discussion centers on how these technologies can extend shelf life, maintain freshness, and improve the overall eating experience.

The third theme explores the interplay between feeding strategies [16] and processing [11] for enhanced meat safety and sustainability. It discusses the synergistic effects of feeding strategies and processing techniques on meat safety and sustainability, emphasizing how integrated approaches can mitigate risks, reduce environmental impact, and promote sustainable meat production practices.

Finally, the paper addresses consumer perception related to meat and meat products. This section examines how different feeding and processing practices influence consumer attitudes and preferences [17,18,19]. By analyzing market trends and consumer feedback, the paper provides insights into how quality perceptions are shaped and how they can be aligned with industry practices.

By synthesizing current research and industry practices, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the nexus between feeding and processing in the context of meat quality and sensory perception. The goal is to offer valuable insights for researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers to enhance meat quality, safety, and sustainability, ultimately meeting consumer expectations and demands.

Figure 1 represents a graphical abstract of the present paper.

2. Impact of Diet Composition and Feed Additives on Meat Quality Parameters

Many factors can influence growth, carcass yield, and meat quality. Breed, sex, genetics, feed, age, and slaughter weight, among others, are critical factors that must be considered in management practices. For this reason, meat producers must identify these factors to know the quality standards. In this way, the producer will have the tools to apply the appropriate management practices to define the type of animal needed to meet the end consumer’s demands. Feeding practices can significantly impact several meat quality traits, from carcass composition and, therefore, commercial value to organoleptic quality and nutritional value of the meat and derived products. The introduction of a nutritional strategy in any breed of animal has the main objective of modifying performance in terms of growth and being a source of overall improvement. On the other hand, there is the economic factor. The meat sector also needs to study raw materials to make them more economical, more sustainable, and able to provide physic-chemical, nutritional, and organoleptic qualities in meat and its derivatives. Partial replacement of feed with by-products can help reduce costs and increase the food chain’s sustainability. The introduction of fats from other food sources increases the energy value (improving animal growth) and provides essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins [6,7]. Changing the fatty acid profile by reducing the saturated fatty acid content and increasing the unsaturated fatty acid content is desirable because it increases the nutritional value and meets the needs of consumers looking for leaner, healthier meats [20]. However, animal feeding practices must consider other important factors when altering the lipid profile. Meat with higher levels of unsaturation is more likely to be oxidized, making it more susceptible to microbial oxidation and defects in color, texture, and flavor. The composition of the nutrients in the animals’ diet, such as the protein/energy ratio, affects the carcass composition [21]. Table 1 shows the influence of the different types of food that are introduced into the animal’s diet.

3. Advances in Processing Technologies and Their Effects on Meat Preservation and Sensory Characteristics

Since ancient times, humans have tried to preserve their food using techniques that allow them to extend its shelf life. Without these preservation methods, degradation, microbiological activity, chemical and enzymatic reactions, and physical changes are inevitable. Even using various methods, including refrigeration, freezing, curing, smoking, thermal processing, canning, dehydration, chemicals, and applying pressure, there can be difficulties in eliminating certain harmful microorganisms.

In this sense, some of the more traditional methods of food preservation, such as dehydration, smoking, brining, canning, fermentation, and refrigeration, have been replaced or complemented by other more innovative preservation techniques (chemical or bio preservation and non-thermal). Below are just a few of the technologies that have been applied among the most “in vogue” with the aim of balancing sensory quality, nutritional value, and microbial safety.

3.1. Thermal Processing

3.1.1. Dry-Aging

In the global food processing sector, drying remains an essential technique used. Wet-aging (with vacuum packing) and dry-aging (without vacuum packing) are the two most popular methods of postmortem aging.

Dry-aging is a traditional method used to remove moisture from food materials to improve cut meats’ palatability, especially regarding taste perception, softness, and marbling [39]. Various techniques are used to dry meat, including vacuum drying, ultrasonic drying, freeze-drying, microwave drying, heat pump drying, pulsed electric field drying, and refractance window drying [40]. Frequently used on premium meat, dry-aging needs to be in extremely regulated ambient temperature, relative humidity, and airflow conditions [41].

Some changes in the functional and sensory attributes of food materials are recognized as negative regarding the quality of the final product [42,43,44] since the type of dryer, the drying conditions, and the composition and physical properties of the raw food material influence the type of final product that will be obtained.

Due to the concentration of important nutrients brought about by dry-aging, such as protein, fat, and minerals, chewing on dry-aged meat releases juicy, fat-like substances that enhance flavor, nutty, umami, and other sensory qualities [45,46]. Therefore, dry-aging meat is well known to improve meat tenderness and flavor. Recently, a study by Hwang et al. [47] applied to pork belly and shoulder blade cuts verified the effects of dry-aging on meat quality attributes such as meat color, water retention capacity, tenderness, lipid oxidation, and protein degradation.

However, from a microbiological point of view, although dry-aging generally reduces levels of Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7, it is not effective in combating Listeria monocytogenes and Yersinia enterocolitica, which can multiply in uncontrolled conditions [48].

So, the dry-aging process continues to be part of a range of meat processing and preservation technologies that have a major impact on sensory and nutritional qualities [11].

3.1.2. Sous-Vide Cooking

Sous-vide cooking is a method of sealing food in a plastic bag that maintains its freshness and submerging it in a water bath kept at a carefully regulated low temperature (53–81 ◦C) for a long period of time (LTLT) (10-48 h) [49]. This technology has been widely used in catering, food retail, and the health food market [50,51]. With vacuum sealing, this method allows heat to be transferred efficiently from water (or steam) to food; increases shelf life by eliminating the risk of recontamination during storage; inhibits unpleasant flavors from oxidation and prevents evaporation losses of flavor volatiles and moisture during cooking [52]. This method seeks to maximize the consistency and palatability of meat and meat products [53,54].

Although sous-vide cooking offers advantages for preservation, it differs from conventional techniques such as canning or drying. Proper food handling, storage, and pasteurization are essential to ensure food safety. Moreover, other techniques, such as marinating, can be used to improve the result of the cooking of meat products, for example, beef’s tenderness, flavor, and juiciness [55]. Another study by Gomez et al. [56] emphasizes the feasibility of using the combination of marinating and sous-vide cooking techniques to yield new ready-to-eat products with high protein content from meat without negatively affecting quality characteristics.

However, microbial contamination remains a concern with low-temperature cooking [57], which requires another complementary technique.

3.1.3. Freezing

A thermal method increasingly being used to preserve fresh meat quality and prolong shelf life is the freezing method [9]. The most used are ultrarapid freezing, vacuum immersion cooling, hydro fluidization freezing, impact freezing, impingement freezing, miscellaneous advanced freezing, electrostatic assisted freezing, pressure displacement freezing, magnetic resonance-assisted freezing, and acid electrolyzed water associated with high hydrostatic pressure, etc. [58]. There is considerable evidence that those methods inhibit microbial growth and reduce enzyme activity [15]. There are key factors for successful Freezing methods, such as correct packaging to avoid freezer burn, temperature stability, and, in some cases, blanching before freezing, as this is essential to maintain the color, taste, and texture of foods. However, the organisms will be deactivated rather than killed and, most of the time, may be activated when the frozen product is thawed. In that case, natural convection thawing (NCT) generally yielded better results than running water thawing [59].

Also, there are two other techniques not mentioned above, such as Vacuum packing with freezing and Individual Quick Freezing (IQF), which are well-established in the meat industry and known for their practicality, scalability, and effectiveness. These methods are crucial for their cost-effectiveness, reliability, and compatibility with industrial processes. Studies on beef and pork have demonstrated that IQF minimizes quality deterioration, reduces drip loss, and maintains better cell integrity [59]. Authors like Beltran and Belles [60] revealed that consumers could not see contrasts between fresh and frozen meat regarding texture and flavor. However, freezing has also been found to cause a series of physical and biochemical changes in muscle foods, including the formation of ice crystals, concentrating of solutes, alteration of ionic strength and pH, freezer burn, discoloration, lipid oxidation, and protein denaturation [61]. Additionally, freezing can increase drip/thaw and cook losses [58]. It is, therefore, essential to relate and intercalate this method with other types of processing to make the most of its application in the food industry.

3.2. Non-Thermal Processing

3.2.1. High Pressure Processing

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) technology is used to preserve high-quality products known for maintaining nutritional value [62].

Meat preservation technology using high-pressure processing is an alternative to traditional thermal methods of inactivating microorganisms [63] as it allows microbiological safety without significantly increasing the temperature [58,64]. In addition, HHP makes it possible to extend the shelf life while maintaining the organoleptic characteristics (i.e., taste, smell, color, texture) and natural nutritional values of the raw material without chemical additives [63,65]. To preserve meat products, pressure should be applied in the 400-600 MPa range, and the duration of action should be around 3 to 7 minutes. However, bacterial resistance to high pressure depends on the type and strains of bacteria [58]. For the action on Gram-negative bacteria to be effective, the applied pressure must be greater than 100 MPa [66].

The preservation of meat and meat products with high hydrostatic pressure also enables the use of the method to preserve packaged products. This allows for a significant extension of microbiological safety in raw meat products.

3.2.2. Irradiation

The application of gamma radiation to meat products is a non-thermal technology used to destroy pathogenic and spoilage microbes in food products [67] and increase their shelf life [68]. Food can be irradiated with ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays, X-rays, or high-energy electrons [69]. Gamma radiation allows the microbial destruction of food without substantially increasing the temperature of the food, generating the desired action only during food irradiation. Red meat products can be colored to taste better, have lower sodium nitrite content, and limit microbial growth by using this method. However, because radiation can accelerate lipid oxidation, produce free radicals and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of oxygen, and destroy compounds like antioxidants and carboxylic acids, this treatment is not advised for foods high in fat [70,71,72]. In a study by Silva et al. [67], the gamma radiation treatment ensured microbiological safety and improved the organoleptic characteristics of cooked hams. However, in another study carried out by Feng et al. [73] the authors found that uncured and irradiated cooked turkey meat remained more sensitive to lipid oxidation than cooked turkey products. Smaller amounts of volatile compounds with an unpleasant odor were observed in the cured meat samples than in the uncured samples [73]. Some strategies have been applied to counteract this oxidation using irradiation. An example of this is the addition of bioactive compounds such as essential oils or their encapsulated actives and the use of combined treatment (mild heat treatment and modified atmospheric packaging) since the relative bacterial sensitivity increases, allowing for a reduction in the dose of irradiation required to maintain food preservation [74,75].

3.2.3. Plasma Technology

Plasma technology is a non-thermal technology that essentially uses cold plasma (CP) to reduce the counts of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms from foodstuffs [76,77,78]. This technique is perfect because it can be applied to the disinfection of air, water, and food surfaces and processes the materials without causing any damage to living tissue [79]. It also allows decontamination at low temperatures, at low pressures, or even in a vacuum with little energy expenditure, which implies a low cost of use for industries [80]. This method is suitable for fresh food products such as milk, fruits, vegetables, and meat products, as it has no negative impact on nutritional and sensory characteristics. A study by Yong et al. [81] observed that plasma treatment reduced the number of bacteria and molds in packaged dried meat without major differences in some sensory parameters, including unpleasant odor. In another study by Moutik [82], the technique had a minimal effect on poultry meat’s color, pH, and water retention capacity, making it an attractive alternative to traditional processing methods. Additionally, Jayasena et al. [83] believe it has potential applications in meat curing, as it can generate nitrite, an essential component of the curing process.

However, there are the disadvantages of requiring qualified personnel, high-cost investment in process-specific equipment [84], and challenges such as lipid oxidation and modification of the packaging material [78,83]. For industrial purposes, cold plasma treatment is not certified as an antimicrobial technology, so future studies are needed in relation to oxygen-reduced atmospheres and biopolymeric materials [85].

3.3. Other Forms of Food Preservation

3.3.1. Chemical and Bio Preservatives

More and more natural antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, essential oils and some colorants are being used to replace other active compounds to extend the shelf life of food products, including meat. Lettuce, spinach, carrot and ginger extracts, rosemary and oregano oils, spices such as garlic and pepper, chitosan, sodium lactate, synthetic antioxidants, etc., are promising sources in food preservation. Some of them naturally contain nitrates capable of replacing existing nitrites and nitrates; others can inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and molds [86,87,88,89,90]. A proposal was made [91] to use Bougainvillea spectabilis as an innovative additive in cooked ham, aiming to replace conventional nitrite salts. This study evaluates the impact of different drying methods (air-drying, foam-mat drying, and oven drying) on the preparation of bougainvillea powder and their effect on the physicochemical and sensory properties of the ham, including antioxidant characteristics. Incorporating bougainvillea powders in the ham formulation improved the sensorial attributes and consumer overall acceptance, even after 8 weeks of cold storage at 4 °C.

According to Das et al. [92], mustard oil, as opposed to soybean and flax seed oils, can be utilized for meat marinating and preservation to increase the shelf life of chilled meat. However, it is necessary to know how to apply and use essential oils as natural antimicrobial agents for meat and meat products since they produce intense aromas and flavors that can affect the sensory quality of these products [93]. Another interesting study conducted by Ali et al. [94] demonstrated that bee honey contains some antioxidants that can reduce the microbial load and increase the shelf life of meat and meat products. Also, synthetic antioxidants, such as Butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT), are applied in meat to stop lipid oxidation and prevent the appearance of unpleasant odors and flavors [95].

Montaño-Sánchez et al. [96] reported the effect of increased physicochemical and microbiological qualities of born-in pork samples during storage by using chitosan in combination with green tea water extract. Some argue that introducing binding additives into meat, such as phosphates, thickeners, starches, sodium alginate, etc., helps to stabilize the emulsion and increase the water retention capacity of these products [11].

The main findings in various studies on processing techniques and their effect on meat quality are presented in Table 2.

4. Interplay between Feeding Strategies and Processing for Enhanced Meat Safety and Sustainability

The growing global demand for meat necessitates the development of efficient strategies to ensure product safety, sustainability, and quality. Enhancing meat quality through innovative feeding practices and processing technologies is critical to addressing these challenges. In particular, the interaction between feeding strategies and processing techniques is crucial in improving meat safety, sustainability, and overall quality, requiring a balanced approach that considers both aspects simultaneously.

Feeding strategies, including animal diet composition, growth conditions, and the use of feed additives, have significant effects on animal health, growth rates, and the safety of the final product. Today, innovative feeding approaches focusing on improving meat quality are essential. These strategies often involve using plant by-products, which can positively impact global food security and reduce environmental impact [97]. Furthermore, feed or nutritional management can enhance sustainability by improving animal productivity and mitigating environmental impacts [98]. However, the benefits of feeding strategies are closely tied to environmental and physiological conditions under which livestock are raised, highlighting the complex relationship between the two [99]. Elements such as housing, stocking density, and climate control can affect stress levels, impacting meat quality [100,101,102]. In this context, optimal growth conditions prioritizing animal health and welfare become crucial for the animals’ well-being and for producing higher-quality meat.

The diet provided to animals significantly influences the quality of the meat, including its texture, flavor, and safety, while contributing to sustainability [16,103,104,105]. This highlights how feeding practices can serve as a foundation for improving meat quality. However, these efforts must be complemented by effective processing techniques to ensure the desired outcomes. At the same time, processing techniques—such as slaughtering, packaging, and preservation—are equally important in ensuring meat safety, extending shelf life, and improving overall quality [11,15]. It is clear that feeding and processing practices must work together to achieve the best results.

Moreover, specific feed additives can also enhance the nutritional value of meat, making it healthier and more sustainable. This includes additives that reduce harmful substances and boost the nutritional profile of the final product [106,107]. In this way, feeding strategies affect animal growth and health and contribute to the long-term sustainability of meat production by improving the final product’s quality and safety.

On the other hand, achieving sustainability in meat production requires a holistic approach that integrates feeding and processing practices. Feeding strategies, such as sourcing feed locally and reducing reliance on non-renewable feedstocks, can lower the environmental footprint of meat production. However, focusing on energy-efficient processing methods that reduce waste and improve the industry’s overall sustainability is equally important. The study from Parlasca and Qaim [108] emphasizes the need for sustainable practices throughout the food system, from farm to fork, due to the significant economic, social, and environmental impacts of meat and livestock production. To develop sustainable meat consumption patterns, it advocates for a holistic approach that considers all sustainability dimensions—economic, social, environmental, health, and animal welfare. The authors call for policies and incentives to promote sustainable practices, engaging producers and consumers in the transition towards sustainability, and stress the importance of understanding sustainability across the entire lifecycle of meat products.

Incorporating certain agro-food coproducts into animal diets promotes a circular economy by reducing waste and environmental impact. This practice not only supports normal animal growth [103] but also enhances meat quality [105,109], illustrating the close relationship between resource management and product quality. Additionally, sustainable practices in meat processing—such as reducing waste and energy consumption—further enhance the sustainability of the meat supply chain [110]. However, for these practices to be effective, they must be communicated effectively among stakeholders, including producers, retailers, consumers, and industry personnel. Collaboration is essential for adopting sustainable practices that optimize meat safety and quality [111].

The use of essential sustainability indicators and impact assessments in both feeding strategies and processing techniques helps in developing informed strategies that contribute to sustainable food systems. Given the complex nature and variability of global food systems, significant challenges exist for ensuring sustainability across food chains. According to Knorr et al. [112], a key requirement is the establishment of harmonized sustainability indicators that objectively provide relevant measures for sustainable systems. The design of sustainable processes and engineering systems should embrace the use of emerging processes, which reduces water and energy use

The use of sustainability indicators and impact assessments in both feeding strategies and processing methods can guide the development of informed approaches that contribute to sustainable food systems. These indicators provide measurable benchmarks that can help the industry address sustainability challenges more effectively. However, significant challenges remain in ensuring sustainability across food chains, given the complexity and variability of global food systems. As Knorr et al. [112] emphasize, establishing harmonized sustainability indicators is a key requirement for objectively measuring sustainable systems. Additionally, the design of sustainable processes and engineering systems should incorporate emerging technologies that reduce water and energy consumption. Such integration ensures that all aspects of meat production—from feeding to processing—are aligned with sustainability goals.

In conclusion, by integrating these elements—feeding strategies, processing techniques, and sustainability metrics—the meat industry can achieve significant improvements in safety, sustainability, and overall quality. This will not only benefit consumers through healthier diets but also contribute to the development of a more sustainable global food system.

5. Consumer perception Related to Meat and Meat Products, from Different Feeding and Processing Practices, Quality

When selecting a meat product, how consumers perceive the characteristics of these products significantly shapes their attitude [113]. The main factors influencing consumer perception of meat and meat product quality can be categorized into intrinsic and extrinsic attributes [2,17,18]. Intrinsic attributes include the sensory characteristics of meat, which are among the key factors that shape consumer attitudes [114]. Taste is the characteristic most frequently associated with food preference, and the flavor profile plays a crucial role in determining consumer choice [115]; texture, mainly softness, and tenderness, are positively associated with consumer evaluation [116]; and visual appeal of meat, particularly its color, significantly influences consumer choices, just a small color variation can be detected by consumers [117]. Additionally, the nutritional value is very important, as consumers consider the health benefits of food’s nutritional composition, meat included [118].

Extrinsic attributes, external cues that consumers use to assess quality, include price and credence attributes (sustainability, animal welfare and origin, and label information). Consumers’ willingness to pay often correlates with their perception of quality; higher prices are typically associated with better quality [114,119]. Consumers increasingly worry about how meat is produced, considering environmental impact, social responsibility, ethical practices, and animal welfare [120,121]. Therefore, information on product labels [122], including certifications related to animal welfare [123] and health benefits [124], can shape consumer expectations [125].

Individual lifestyle choices and preferences play a significant role in consuming meat and meat products. For instance, urban consumers may prioritize convenience, while rural consumers might prefer traditional products. Social influences, media representation, and marketing strategies also affect consumer perceptions and can significantly impact consumer attitudes [2].

Overall, consumer perception of meat quality is multifaceted, involving a combination of sensory attributes, external cues, personal preferences, and broader societal influences. Consumer preferences and perceptions regarding meat products can vary significantly based on feeding and processing approaches, given that both can affect the mentioned factors.

5.1. Feeding Approaches

Several research studies have investigated how different feeding systems influence consumer perceptions about meat quality in recent years. These studies reveal a nuanced understanding of how feeding practices impact the characteristics of meat and, subsequently, consumer preferences.

Consumers often perceive grass-fed meat as healthier and more natural than grain-fed meat. Grass-fed meat is associated with better animal welfare and environmental benefits, which can influence purchasing decisions [126]. One notable focus has been on lamb production, where extensive feeding systems, such as pasture-based feeding, enhanced certain meat quality traits that align with consumer preferences for healthier and environmentally sustainable products. Lambs raised on high-quality pastures tend to have higher omega-3 fatty acid content, which is desirable for health-conscious consumers [127]. Additionally, research on restricted grazing and indoor supplementary feeding in lambs demonstrated that feeding systems significantly affect meat quality, with different grazing times producing variations in meat flavor and fat content, catering to diverse consumer tastes [128]. The use of cheaper feeding alternatives [129] showed the same (or not significantly different) effects on meat quality, mainly ruminants, where it was observed that feeding sericea lespedeza (SL, Lespedeza cuneata) hay, a highly condensed tannin forage hay to meat goats, did not significantly influence the flavor volatiles in cooked chevon chops compared with more expensive forages. On the other hand, the lipid profile of lamb meat was less favorable to consumer health when the animals were subjected to 60% feed restriction [130].

Organic meat is perceived to be superior in quality and safety, with higher health consciousness and environmental concerns driving consumer preferences [131]. Additionally, there is a growing preference for organic meat, which is perceived as free from antibiotics and hormones. Consumers paying a premium for organic products often cite health and environmental concerns [19]. As stated by Lee et al. (2024) 132], pasture-only lambs had healthier fatty acid profiles than those from supplemented lambs. Similarly, rabbit meat is recognized for its lean and healthy attributes. However, its higher price and lower consumption rates than other meats suggest a need for targeted marketing strategies to shift consumer behavior towards such functional foods [133].

In pork, nursery feeding programs were examined to understand their impact on subsequent growth performance and meat quality. It was found that while simpler diets during the nursery phase could reduce costs, they did not adversely affect carcass or meat quality by market weight. This suggests that cost-effective feeding strategies can be developed without compromising meat quality, an important consideration for producers and consumers [134]. Still, in pigs, no significant differences were found in the consumer’s evaluation of dry-cured loins from animals fed with peas or soy [135]. However, the differences could have been masked by processing.

Studies on poultry have highlighted the importance of appearance and texture as primary quality attributes influencing consumer selection. Feeding practices, such as the introduction of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), showed minimal impact on poultry meat quality, indicating that such dietary changes might be adopted without affecting consumer perception of meat quality [136]. Furthermore, feeding strategies that alter the timing and proportion of feed intake, especially under stress conditions, were found to improve growth and meat quality in turkeys, suggesting potential for optimization in feeding schedules to enhance product quality under varying environmental conditions [137].

These studies underscore the interconnectedness of feeding practices, meat quality, and consumer perceptions. They highlight the importance of aligning production methods with consumer demands for quality, health benefits, and sustainability to ensure market success.

5.2. Processing Approaches:

In the past years, several research studies have explored consumer perceptions regarding the effects of meat processing on quality. These studies span various aspects of meat processing, from traditional methods to innovative technologies and their impact on sensory and nutritional quality.

One significant area of research has been examining sensory and nutritional aspects of meat processing and preservation technologies. This includes methods such as dry aging, dry curing, high hydrostatic pressure (HHP), conventional cooking, sous-vide cooking, and even 3D printing, as well as chemical methods like fermentation, smoking, curing, and marination. These studies emphasize the balance between retaining nutritional value and enhancing sensory quality, an area of great interest to consumers who prioritize both taste and health benefits in their meat products. The integration of diverse processing methods often yields better sensory outcomes, suggesting that multi-faceted approaches could meet consumer expectations more effectively [11].

Freezing extends the shelf-life of meat but causes physical and biochemical changes that reduce quality. Despite efforts over the past two decades, no single technique can fully address these issues, and consumer perception of frozen meat remains negative. A review [138] explored novel freezing and thawing technologies, such as deep freezing and high pressure, and processing strategies to improve thawed meat quality and bridge the gap with fresh meat. While some approaches show promise in enhancing various meat quality traits, no single technology or strategy can be easily adopted by the meat industry to maintain all quality aspects of meat comparable to fresh equivalents, suggesting that further research needs to be done to enhance thawed meat quality.

Processing serves not only the objective of preserving meat but also to enhance the acceptability and increase the variety of products offered to consumers. Processing can increase consumers’ acceptability of meat, which is usually less accepted, such as older or heavier animals, as well as non-traditionally eaten meats. While processed meat products are convenient, there is increasing awareness of the potential health risks associated with high consumption [139,140]. This has led to a demand for cleaner labels and healthier processing methods. Consumers associate minimally processed meat with higher quality and fewer additives. So, meat products that undergo minimal processing are generally preferred, unless natural additives are used.

Many studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of modifying ingredients on quality characteristics, specifically sensory characteristics, of meat products to make them healthier and still accepted by consumers [141,142,143,144,145,146]. The mentioned modifications include reducing fat content, replacing healthier fats, using natural ingredients, and applying processing as ultrasounds to reduce or eliminate the effects of the modifications in the formulations.

The main findings of studies on consumers’ expectations, perceptions, and evaluation of diverse processed meat products are summarized in Table 3.

Consumers’ perceptions do not always align with the product’s real characteristics. A good marketing strategy from the meat and meat products industry, informing consumers about the products, is important to increase consumption.

6. Conclusions

The quality of meat and meat products is a subjective and dynamic concept aiming to please consumers. Every factor influencing consumer perception of quality is crucial. Achieving the desired quality sustainably requires considering all actors in the production chain, from production to consumption, including carcass and meat quality and their processing. Each step is vital to meet consumer demands for nutritious, healthy, and tasty meat products produced under sustainable and welfare conditions. This review highlights the impact of feeding and processing on meat and meat product quality, which can affect consumers’ perceptions and buying intentions. Information is fundamental to providing consumers with all the data to help them make intelligent purchases and consumption.