Two new tools for classifying veal meat color in France : the interprofessional 5 classes color scale and the chromameter

摘要

Colour, one of the main features of meat veal, plays a key role in carcass pricing. Currently, veal meat colour classification is visually made according to a colour scale with 4 classes. Some differences between this reference and slaughterhouses classification exist. Given this context, the veal sector has decided to modify the current colour scale by inserting an intermediate class between classes 2 and 3. Some tests, conducted in 4 slaugtherhouses, have permitted to develop this new colour scale with 5 classes, to assess these new classifying rules in real conditions, and to calibrate the chromameter (colour measurement instrument) with this future reference. The 5 classes colour scale, validated by the entire veal sector and FranceAgriMer, appeared relevant and chromameter classifying performances were as good, even better, than those obtained with the current 4 classes classification. Thus, the veal industry has two new tools for objectively classifying veal meat colour in the current context: the 5 classes colour scale, and the chromameter calibrated with this new reference. Before field use, the veal chain has to engage official homologation of these tools with control institutions.