Decoding 'Minimally Processed'
The term “processed meat” exists on a spectrum, from minimally processed to ultra-processed. Minimally processed foods, including meat, are defined by the USDA as products that have been altered as little as possible to prepare them for sale, without fundamentally changing their characteristics. This often includes physical alterations like grinding, cutting, or cooking, using simple ingredients and traditional methods.
Applegate leans into this philosophy, using straightforward techniques similar to those one might use at home, but on an industrial scale. Their bulk deli meats, for example, are marinated with simple brines of water, sea salt, and cane sugar before being cooked and packaged. This contrasts sharply with ultra-processed foods, which rely on industrial formulations and chemical additives to enhance flavor, texture, and shelf life.
How Applegate's Processing Methods Work
Applegate provides transparency into its production process, highlighting several key steps for products like its deli meats:
- Brining/Marination: Meats are flavored using simple ingredients like sea salt, spices, and cultured celery powder, which provides naturally occurring nitrites.
- Tenderizing: Some products undergo a maceration process that scores the meat's surface, enhancing tenderness and flavor absorption.
- Cooking/Smoking: Meats are cooked and/or smoked using traditional methods, such as natural hardwood smoking, rather than artificial flavors.
- Packaging: Cooked products are chilled and immediately sealed in packaging to ensure freshness without requiring artificial preservatives.
Natural Ingredients and Additives
A core differentiator for Applegate is its stringent ingredient policy. The company’s mission, 'Changing The Meat We Eat,' is built on using simple, clean ingredients and avoiding a long list of artificial additives. This commitment means consumers will not find artificial flavors, colors, chemical nitrites or nitrates, or genetically modified ingredients.
For example, instead of chemical nitrites, Applegate uses naturally occurring nitrites from cultured celery powder. While this still involves a form of curing, it adheres to their 'natural' and 'organic' labeling standards, which prohibit many of the ingredients found in conventional products. This focus on ingredient transparency is a major reason why their products are often viewed as a healthier alternative.
Applegate vs. Conventional Meat Processing
To understand the difference, a comparison of Applegate's standards against typical industrial meat processing is essential. The contrast extends beyond just the final product and includes animal welfare and farming practices.
| Feature | Applegate Standards | Conventional Standards |
|---|---|---|
| Processing Level | Minimally processed, with simple cooking and preparation | Often highly processed, using industrial processes to extend shelf life |
| Ingredients | Natural ingredients, no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives | Wide use of artificial additives, fillers, and industrial flavor enhancers |
| Antibiotics | Never administered to animals | Routine administration, especially in overcrowded conditions |
| Nitrates/Nitrites | No chemical nitrites or nitrates added (uses naturally occurring) | Uses chemical nitrates and nitrites for preservation and curing |
| Animal Welfare | Third-party certified (GAP, Certified Humane), no crates, more space | Lower standards, often includes crates and confined spaces |
| Hormones | No added hormones or growth promotants | Used in production (e.g., non-poultry meats), unless prohibited by regulation |
What This Means for Consumers
For consumers, understanding the distinction between Applegate's processing and conventional methods is key to making informed dietary choices. Applegate's commitment to simpler ingredients, humane animal raising, and minimal processing results in products that are a closer reflection of their whole-food origins. However, it's important to recognize that 'minimally processed' doesn't mean unprocessed. Some products, like chicken nuggets, still involve multiple steps and added ingredients, even if they are more natural than ultra-processed versions. Ultimately, this allows consumers to choose products that align with a diet focused on cleaner, less-altered ingredients.
How to Tell the Difference When Shopping
When navigating the grocery store aisles, look beyond marketing labels. Here is a list of cues that signal the difference:
- Ingredient List Length: A shorter, more recognizable list of ingredients typically indicates minimal processing. Applegate's lists are intentionally short and straightforward.
- Labeling: Look for specific certifications like 'Certified Humane' or 'Global Animal Partnership,' which indicate adherence to stricter animal welfare standards.
- Natural Curing: Check if nitrates/nitrites come from natural sources like cultured celery powder, as indicated by labels such as 'No Nitrates or Nitrites Added Except for Those Naturally Occurring'.
- Texture and Flavor: Consumers often report that minimally processed products have a less uniform texture and a more natural, less salty flavor compared to highly processed alternatives.
Conclusion: Processed, but Not All Processing is Equal
In conclusion, yes, Applegate meats are processed, as all commercially prepared meat is to some extent. However, the key takeaway is the degree and nature of that processing. Applegate's practices prioritize simple ingredients, traditional cooking methods, and high animal welfare standards, resulting in products that are a substantial departure from the ultra-processed meats common in the market. By choosing Applegate, consumers are opting for a minimally processed product that avoids artificial additives and emphasizes transparency, offering a healthier choice for the conscious eater. For more information on their specific standards, see the company's mission statement on their official website: https://applegate.com/mission/.
