Sodium Metabisulphite Alternatives

Summary

Sodium metabisulphite has been used in the UK fishing industry for many years to control the effects of melanotic blackening in prawns (Nephrops norvegicus). Recent requirements for allergen labelling and court cases resulting from high levels of sulphite residue have prompted interest to secure alternative treatments to control melanosis. Further motivation has come from the highly corrosive nature of sodium metabisulphite. This causes extensive damage to vessels and processing equipment and has serious operational health and safety issues. A number of treatments were trialled in a commercial environment to determine a viable alternative to sodium metabisulphite. Prawns were treated at sea and then assessed for shelf life and sulphite residue by processors in NE Scotland. 5 treatments were competitive with sodium metabisulphite, these include sulphite based and non sulphite based treatments. As such, vessels and factories are provided with a variety of treatment options depending on their own product requirements. Alternative sulphite based treatments exhibit reduced operational hazards and lower sulphite residues in the tail meat while selected non sulphite based treatments are classified as ‘processing aids’ and are exempt from any form of food additive labelling.

Author

• Mark Edmonds

Publication Reference No.

SR583

Publication date

01 January 2006

Category

• Technical Report
• .Web-Responsible Sourcing