COLD STORAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1930, Page 7

COLD STORAGE

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. MEAT BOARD’S PART. Interesting references to scientific research Avork in the freezing, storing and transport of frozen meat are made in the annual report of the Meat Producers’ Board.

With the object of exchanging views the board has arranged each year for a conference of refrigeration engineers from a-H the freezing works in the Dominion, and “it is particularly pleasing to note the co-operation of freezing companies, as is shown by the yearly attendance at these conferences —proving their united desire to uphold the good name of the Dominion in our meat trade by doing everything possible to ensure that our meat is placed on the British Market to the best possible advantage. So far, three conferences have been held, and there is no doubt that the results have been very valuable.” - By arrangement with the Food Investigation Board in England, a scientific survey party headed by Dr. Ezer Griffiths visited New Zealand at the end of last year in the cause of a detailed scientific survey of the frozen meat industry. The Meat Board shared the cost of this survey with the Empire Marketing Board and the Scientific Research Department at Home, and also purchased a number of parcels of lambs for the purpose of experiments which wore conducted by the scientists, The board also arranged for the eurvey party to meet the refrigeration engineers from the various freezing works in the Dominion at the annual conference which was held in Wellington. These scientists, who have been closely associated with the Scientific and Industrial Research Department in ! New Zealand, have now departed in different vessels to continue their survey of meat in transit and in store, in the United Kingdom. “It is certain that when the survey party has finished, its work, its report will be tin most comprehensive survey which has been undertaken in connection • with th is iimportant' industry.” • The refrigeration committee set up bv the board continued to meet during the year, and was closely associated with the vjsiting scientists during their stay in New Zealand. It is intended 'that this committee will keen in touch with the scientists at Home regarding any further experiments which it may' be necessary to carry out, or any other matters affecting the survey. ’ . QUICK FREEZING OF MEAT. The board has been watching very closely the recent developments in the United States of America in connection with the quick freezing of meat, and it is of interest to note that many leading American packers are now being interested in this new discovery, which may portend radical changes in the present system of retailing meat in the United States. By means of quick freezing it is now possible to bring to the housewife the most popular cuts of meat wrapped in moisture-proof cellophane paper and packed in cartons. It is also claimed that in addition to the merchandising advantages, such packing would save much waste at the packing plants, where skilled men could be assembled for the cutting up and packing. Quick freezing is not confined to meat, but tbe process has also been applied to jruits, vegetables anti fish with remarkable success. The board is in close touch with these developments and has recently received a small sample shipment from its agent | in New York.