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Meat Color Protection Tool

A study on the role of color in food states that "food color affects the consumer's ability to correctly identify flavor, to form distinct flavor profiles and preferences, and dominates other flavor information sources, including labeling and taste."1  Color and freshness are virtually inseparable for meat and poultry consumers in particular, who rely heavily on color and appearance to indicate freshness and taste when purchasing. 

The majority of consumers base their meat and poultry buying decisions on a fresh appearance,2 and equate appealing color with quality and freshness. Since color is the consumer's most important cue, meat and poultry manufacturers have a challenge when it comes to maintaining a fresh appearance. 

At Kemin, we offer a wide range of solutions that help preserve color and flavor of meat and poultry products. See how in our interactive color tool below.


Compare our Best Color Protection Solutions

See the impact FORTIUM R, FORTIUM RGT, and NaturFORT ARGT have on the color of ground beef in the interactive tool below by sliding the red dot to reveal the color change over time. 

  • untreated
    Untreated vs Fortium®: Untreated - Day 1
    rosemary
    Untreated vs Fortium®: Fortium® - Day 1
  • untreated
    Untreated vs Fortium®: Untreated - Day 3
    rosemary
    Untreated vs Fortium®: Fortium® - Day 3
  • untreated
    Untreated vs Fortium®: Untreated - Day 5
    rosemary
    Untreated vs Fortium®: Fortium® - Day 5
  • untreated
    Untreated vs Fortium®: Untreated - Day 8
    rosemary
    Untreated vs Fortium®: Fortium® - Day 8
  • untreated
    Untreated vs Fortium®: Untreated - Day 10
    rosemary
    Untreated vs Fortium®: Fortium® - Day 10

FORTIUM® R: Rosemary extract effective at extending shelf-life of meat and poultry products. Learn More >

  • untreated
    Untreated vs Fortium® RGT: Untreated - Day 3
    rosemary green tea blend
    Untreated vs Fortium® RGT: Fortium® RGT - Day 1
  • untreated
    Untreated vs Fortium® RGT: Untreated - Day 3
    rosemary green tea blend
    Untreated vs Fortium® RGT: Fortium® RGT - Day 3
  • untreated
    Untreated vs Fortium® RGT: Untreated - Day 5
    rosemary green tea blend
    Untreated vs Fortium® RGT: Fortium® RGT - Day 5
  • untreated
    Untreated vs Fortium® RGT: Untreated - Day 8
    rosemary green tea blend
    Untreated vs Fortium® RGT: Fortium® RGT - Day 8
  • untreated
    Untreated vs Fortium® RGT: Untreated - Day 10
    rosemary green tea blend
    Untreated vs Fortium® RGT: Fortium® RGT - Day 10

FORTIUM® RGT: Versatile and proprietary blend of rosemary and green tea extracts that extends shelf-life better than rosemary extract alone. Learn More >

  • untreated
    Untreated vs NaturFORT™ ARGT: Untreated - Day 1
    acerola rosemary green tea blend
    Untreated vs NaturFORT™ ARGT: NaturFORT™ ARGT - Day 1
  • untreated
    Untreated vs NaturFORT™ ARGT: Untreated - Day 3
    acerola rosemary green tea blend
    Untreated vs NaturFORT™ ARGT: NaturFORT™ ARGT - Day 3
  • untreated
    Untreated vs NaturFORT™ ARGT: Untreated - Day 5
    acerola rosemary green tea blend
    Untreated vs NaturFORT™ ARGT: NaturFORT™ ARGT - Day 5
  • untreated
    Untreated vs NaturFORT™ ARGT: Untreated - Day 8
    acerola rosemary green tea blend
    Untreated vs NaturFORT™ ARGT: NaturFORT™ ARGT - Day 8
  • untreated
    Untreated vs NaturFORT™ ARGT: Untreated - Day 10
    acerola rosemary green tea blend
    Untreated vs NaturFORT™ ARGT: NaturFORT™ ARGT - Day 10

NaturFORT ARGT: Unique blend of acerola, rosemary and green tea extracts that provide optimal color and flavor shelf-life extension of meat and poultry products. Learn More >


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The slider above illustrates color loss over time in an 80/20 ground beef, and allows you to compare what protection you may be able to achieve with one of our plant-extract solutions. Use this tool to help you determine the optimal antioxidant solution to meet your desired shelf life needs.

Disclaimer: This tool is for illustrative purposes. The color change scale is based off of scientific research, however images used were not taken from a specific study and were recreated for the purposes of this tool.

1Lawrence L. Garber Jr., Eva M. Hyatt & Richard G Starr Jr. (2000) The Effects of Food Color on Percieved Flavor, Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, 8:4, 59-72, DOI: 10.1080/10696679.200.11501880

2Packaged Red Meat, U.S. Mintel, 2023