| abstract |
A method comprising the step of treating meat and meat products, including fish, poultry, fish products, and poultry products, with a stabilizing amount of rosemary extract or rosemary extract in combination singly or collectively with tocopherols, ascorbic acid, citric acid, or sodium tripolyphosphate, prior to exposure of the meat or meat products to ionizing radiation, enhances the flavor and shelf life thereof. In addition, the active antioxidant ingredients of rosemary extract may be used individually or collectively as a replacement for rosemary extract, these being carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid, which have been found equivalent to or superior to rosemary extract itself for purposes of the present invention when used in the concentrations set forth herein. |