Heat treatment of processed meat products will therefore always be a compromise between sensory and hygienic requirements.
In case of difficult hygienic conditions (e.g. tropical environment, highly contaminated raw meat, risk of interrupted cold chain) more intensive heat treatment must be applied. However, this may result in a certain degradation of the eating quality and higher cooking losses. If meat production and meat handling conditions are good (e.g. moderate climate, fresh hygienic raw materials, excellent processing and storage conditions), the heat treatment can be less intensive, which results in better sensory quality, but in hygienically more sensitive products.
1) Naturally, basic food safety aspects play also a role in heat treatment of meat dishes, such as elimination of potentially food poisoning microorganisms.
2) Exception: For supplying canteens, supermarkets, etc. with pre-packed cooked and afterwards chilled ready-to-eat dishes, which have to be reheated before consumption, exact temperature control during cooking is necessary as the product will be stored.