LED lighting in fresh meat retail display cases offers benefits in extending
color life of pork loin chops, beef longissimus lumborum steaks,
ground beef, and beef semimembranosus steaks. Beef retail cuts had extended
color life by at least 0.5 to 1 d longer under LED lighting than
under FLS lighting. In addition, cases with LED lights have more efficient
condenser cycling and colder operational temperatures, which should
also result in longer color and shelf life. Pork loin chops and ground turkey
color can be displayed under LED or FLS lighting, but if product lipid
oxidation is a concern, pork loin chops and ground turkey should be
displayed under FLS lighting. Compared to FLS lighting, LED lighting in
meat retail display cases will save money not only by reducing fixed
overhead operational costs but also by extending the fresh meat color
life of products with more myoglobin. The effect of LED lighting on
lipid oxidation should be further examined.