Lihajäänused

Lihajäänused, often translated as meat scraps or meat waste, refers to residual portions of animal carcasses after valuable cuts of meat have been removed for human consumption. This can include bones, fat trimmings, connective tissues, and other less desirable parts. The classification and utilization of lihajäänused vary significantly depending on regulations, industry practices, and intended use.

Historically, lihajäänused were often discarded or used locally for animal feed or fertilizer. However, with increasing emphasis on resource efficiency and sustainability, there has been a growing focus on processing and repurposing these materials. Modern industrial practices often involve rendering, a process that separates fat and protein components. The rendered fat, known as tallow or lard, can be used in food production, cosmetics, or biofuel. The protein-rich residue can be further processed into meat and bone meal, which finds applications in animal feed (subject to strict regulatory controls to prevent disease transmission) or as fertilizer.

The handling and processing of lihajäänused are subject to stringent hygiene and safety regulations to prevent the spread of diseases. Rendering plants are designed to operate at high temperatures to sterilize the materials. Concerns regarding prion diseases, such as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), have led to specific regulations regarding the use of meat and bone meal, particularly in animal feed. The term can also sometimes encompass meat products that are near their expiration date but still fit for consumption, which may be diverted to specialized markets or processed further.