How manufacturers increase the volume of sausages with additives

The Russian food market is becoming increasingly problematic: there have been more and more cases of meat and dairy producers using prohibited ingredients to artificially increase the volume and weight of their products. The focus was on microbial transglutaminase, an enzyme popularly nicknamed "meat glue".

According to regulatory authorities, the use of this additive allows manufacturers to significantly save on production costs. Under the influence of transglutaminase, previously unconnected pieces of muscle tissue are firmly glued together into a monolithic product that resembles ham in appearance. In addition, the enzyme is able to retain additional moisture in products, thereby increasing their weight by up to 25%.

The use of "meat glue" gives unscrupulous companies the opportunity to artificially "inflate" the volumes of sausages, hot dogs, cheeses, cottage cheese and other products. However, the use of this component in the Russian Federation has been prohibited since 2020; the additive is not included in the register of permitted food ingredients.

Nevertheless, statistics show that the number of recorded cases of its use is steadily growing. If a year ago Rospotrebnadzor identified 25 meat samples with microbial transglutaminase, then from January to June of this year there were already 28 such cases. The component was also found in samples of children's and dairy products.

Well-known companies are under suspicion - OOO Kombinat Dubki, AO Ostankino Meat Processing Plant, AO Bryansk Meat Processing Plant and others. The discovery of an unacceptable component in their products indicates unfair practices that threaten the quality and safety of consumer goods.

Public organizations concerned about the current situation have already appealed to the Prosecutor General's Office with a demand to stop the illegal use of "meat glue" and remove it from sale. After all, the effect of this substance on the human body has not been fully studied, and its use in the food industry is outside the legal field.

The State Duma called on Rospotrebnadzor to take urgent measures to solve the problem. Experts believe that strict sanctions are needed against manufacturers caught using prohibited ingredients. This is the only way to achieve a real breakthrough in the situation and protect the rights of consumers to high-quality and safe products.

Thus, the problem of using "meat glue" in the food industry is becoming increasingly acute. It requires close attention from government agencies, producers and the public. Only through joint efforts can we ensure transparency and integrity in the food market.