Information and Frequently Asked Questions
New High-Oxygen Packaging
Stop & Shop recently changed ground beef packages. Why?
At Stop & Shop, we are always looking for better ways and new technology to meet
customer needs while providing the same safe, quality, wholesome food. There are a number
of common production practices and safe packaging techniques that retain ground beef
freshness, including modified atmosphere packaging. Recently, we tried a modified
atmosphere packaging technique (low-oxygen packaging) that slowed down the natural
deterioration of meat by removing oxygen and replacing it with a safe mixture of gases
like nitrogen (60-70%), carbon dioxide (30-40%) and carbon monoxide (<0.4%). However,
we are now changing the type of packaging used for our ground beef to a high-oxygen
packaging that uses 80% oxygen and 20% carbon dioxide. As before, our new packaging is
FDA and USDA approved, leak proof, and easier for customers to identify ground beef
freshness.
Since Stop & Shop changed the packaging, did you change the product?
Only the package changed. We are still offering the same high quality ground beef,
packaged in USDA inspected facilities.
Did Stop & Shop receive customer complaints on the low-oxygen modified atmosphere
packaging?
At Stop & Shop, we believe that listening to our customers is important. Upon
introducing low-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging, we received praise from some
customers about the extended shelf life from the new packaging, which gave customers a
longer time to use the ground beef stored in the refrigerator or freezer. But we also
heard from customers who did not like the use of this packaging. We listened to our
customers who found the retention of the red color produced by this packaging to be
confusing. Although food quality experts recommend relying upon "use by dates" and not
color as an indicator of meat freshness, we discovered many customers typically rely on
this characteristic to identify freshness. Therefore, we began to explore other packaging
options that would provide many of the positive benefits of modified atmosphere
packaging, but without the retention of the red color produced by this packaging
method.
How does this package differ?
The new package replaces air with a mixture of 80% oxygen and 20% carbon dioxide. The
package includes ground beef in a solid, plastic tray with skin-tight film, which keeps
juices inside the package, reducing cross-contamination and helping to keep refrigerators
and freezers cleaner.
Is this packaging safe?
At Stop & Shop, we are committed to providing safe, fresh, wholesome, quality
products and implement stringent quality and safety policies. Our meat is packed and
processed in USDA inspected facilities to ensure that products are safe, clean and
properly labeled. Fresh ground beef products are tested for E. coli O 157:H7 before the
product goes to market. In fact, all U.S. meat and poultry plants are required to meet
USDA sanitation requirements and abide by mandatory safe food production plans to ensure
use of the best available production and monitoring practices.
Will this new packaging cost me more?
No, the new packaging is available to customers at no additional cost.
Can I freeze the ground beef in this package?
For best results, it is recommended that the product be repackaged by wrapping in freezer
paper or tin foil to ensure the product avoids exposure to air. As a customer
convenience, a sticker is attached to each package, which contains tips for freezing the
product.
Does this packaging cause the ground beef to stay red longer?
While the high amount of oxygen in the package can slightly darken the color of the meat,
a natural antioxidant (an extract of rosemary) is used to protect the color against the
negative impact of oxygen. However, the meat will darken naturally as it approaches the
use by date and should not be used past this date. This makes it easier for customers to
detect visually the age of the product. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that
food experts recommend consumers rely upon the "use or freeze by" date.
Does rosemary flavor the ground beef?
Most people cannot detect any flavor from the addition of the rosemary extract. This
extract is also odorless.
How long is the shelf life with this packaging?
At Stop & Shop, we are committed to providing customers with fresh, high quality
products and clearly mark all packaged ground beef with a "use or freeze by" date. This
date is printed both on the film of package itself as well as the price label.
Will this type of packaging be expanded to other meat products?
As part of our efforts to continually improve our product and service offerings, we may
adopt this packaging for other meat products.
What should I do to handle ground beef safely?
After shopping, groceries should be refrigerated as soon as possible. Customers should
wash their hands before and after handling raw meat, cook ground beef thoroughly and
avoid cross-contamination. Ground beef must be cooked to an internal temperature of 160
degrees F to ensure complete elimination of bacteria. For more information on food
safety, please see our website.
