U. S. consumer perceptions of U. S. and Canadian beef quality grades.

A U.S. consumer (n = 642) study (Baltimore, MD; Phoenix, AZ; and Lubbock, TX) was conducted to compare consumer sensory scores of U.S. beef (83 USDA Choice [Choice] and 96 USDA Select [Select]) and Canadian beef (77 AAA and 82 AA) strip loins. Strip loins (n = 338) were obtained from beef processors in Canada and the United States and were wet aged until 21 d postmortem at 2°C. Marbling scores were assigned at 21 d and loins were paired according to quality grades and marbling score. Strip loins were fabricated into 2.54-cm thick steaks; steaks were vacuum packaged and frozen until further evaluations. Proximate analysis was performed to compare fat, moisture, and protein. Choice and Canadian AAA had similar marbling scores and intramuscular fat. Both Choice and Canadian AAA had greater (P < 0.05) marbling scores and intramuscular fat than Canadian AA, but Select strip loins had intermediate values that were not different from any of the other grades (P > 0.05). Consumers' opinions did not differ when comparing equivalent grades (Choice with Canadian AAA and Select with Canadian AA), but they rated Choice and Canadian AAA more palatable than Select and Canadian AA for all sensory attributes (P < 0.05). Regarding percentage of acceptability and likelihood to buy score, consumers indicated a preference and greater probability to buy (P = 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively) strip loin steaks from higher quality grade carcasses (Choice and Canadian AAA) than lower quality grade carcasses (Select and Canada AA). Additionally, consumers gave their opinion of Canadian beef, where its quality and safety were rated as "good" to "excellent" for both attributes (76.72% and 88.36%, respectively; P < 0.05), feeling confident in beef that is imported from Canada. In the same way, consumers indicated that country-of-origin labeling was a minimal factor influencing their beef steak purchasing decisions. Results from this consumer study indicated U.S. consumers could not differentiate between U.S. and Canadian beef within comparable quality grades; however, strip loin steaks from higher quality grades were more palatable than lower quality grades according to consumer scores for eating quality traits.

Evaluation of the storage life of vacuum packaged Australian beef.

To establish the shelf-life of vacuum packaged Australian beef, 15 Strip-loins and 15 Cube-rolls for each Processor (A, B, and C) were evaluated at two week intervals (since wk 10 to 20). Steaks on the trays were placed in retail cabinets at 3 °C. Shelf-life evaluation was based on off-odor (only at week 10), microbial analysis, lipid oxidation, and color assessment by trained panelist and Hunter colorimeter. Panelists detected "slightly off-odor" in both primal cuts for Processors B and C (P<0.05). Processor A primal cut steaks displayed better color scores as well as CIE L*, a*, b*, Chroma and Hue values during storage and display period than steaks from the other processors. Also, primal cuts from Processor A showed lower microbial counts and TBARS values with respect to other processors during the trial. Processor A cuts showed improved shelf life attributes initially which helps to explain its slow shelf-life deterioration.

Reinforcing compliance with non-drug-related activities.

Contingency management (CM) procedures, that provide incentives for specific behaviors, are efficacious in treating substance use disorders. Typically, CM interventions reinforce submission of urine specimens negative for the targeted drug(s) of abuse, but other behaviors can be reinforced as well, such as compliance with non-drug-related activities. This article describes 1,059 activities chosen by 46 subjects participating in one of two CM studies. The most frequently chosen activities were related to recreational activities (going to movies, library, or church) and sobriety (attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, completing worksheets). Over 95% of subjects participated in at least one of these types of activities, and together they accounted for over 70% of the activities selected. Over half the subjects participated in at least one activity related to employment, health, family, and personal improvement, such as applying for a job, attending a medical appointment, taking their child to an event, or creating weekly to-do lists. A detailed description of activity selection and verification procedures may assist in developing consistent approaches across treatment settings, and future research may evaluate further the efficacy of this contingency management approach in treating substance abusers.