Use of Nitrite-Embedded Film for Extending the Color Stability and Shelf Life of Alternatively-Cured, Fully Cooked Bologna

Nitrite-embedded film (NEF) was tested in alternatively-cured bologna to improve the color stability and shelf life. Results showed that alternatively-cured bologna vacuum packaged in NEF provided improved color stability. Additionally, NEF was capable of improving the external surface and internal color of NEF packaged alternatively-cured meats. Furthermore, results indicate that NEF may provide a novel means of generating pigments important to cured meat after thermal protein denaturation.