Page 42 - FoodFocusThailand No.230 May 2025

SMART
SMART PRODUCTION PRODUCTION

Revolution of Meat Processing

with Smart Technology and

Further Innovation

The meat processing industry is rapidly transforming to meet growing market demands for enhanced food
quality, safety, and sustainability. Consequently, smart technologies and innovations are being integrated
into manufacturing processes to minimize waste, optimize efficiency, and bolster consumer confidence in
food safety and nutritional value.

Historically, meat processing operators primarily used Smart Technologies in Further Processing
traditional, labor-intensive, and time-consuming batch processing 1. AI and Automation in Meat Processing
methods. These methods involved isolated, sequential steps, 1.1 AI-Driven Quality Control: Artificial intelligence
including slaughtering, trimming, fermenting, packaging, and enhances meat quality assessment, particularly for fat
distribution. Common challenges included: content and freshness, through machine vision and
• Manufacturing Inaccuracies: Manual trimming and quality specialized algorithms that precisely identify anomalies. For
assurance led to product specification irregularities. instance, Marel AuraVision, an automated meat sorting
• High Waste: Inefficient waste management resulted in system, is implemented during slaughtering. This system
excessively trimmed meat. captures lateral profiles of carcasses, quantifying structural
• High Contamination Risks: Manual handling increased attributes like fat layers and initial weight. This technology
the likelihood of microbial contamination. facilitates accurate predictions of final product yield and
• High Production Costs: Labor-intensive processes saleable meat quantities.
prolonged lead times, driving up unit costs. 1.2 Robotic Processing and Precision Cutting:
• Lack of Traceability: Difficulty in tracking raw materials Robotic systems are implemented in meat processing to
and processes hindered industry transparency. achieve higher accuracy, minimize waste, and optimize
Currently, the meat processing industry is transitioning to production throughput. For example, the Scott automated
smart production, embracing AI, IoT, automation, and blockchain lamb loin deboner utilizes dual-energy X-ray scanning to
technologies. These advancements aim to enhance manufacturing analyze lamb carcasses. This data is then used to guide
precision, mitigate contamination risks, and ensure precise raw robotic cutting, maximizing yield. Similarly, DeboFlex primal
material traceability. This shift is anticipated to deliver seamless cut, an AI-powered model, accurately identifies pelvic bone
processing, reduced waste, and improved food safety. locations in pig carcasses, enhancing cutting precision,
reducing waste, and improving overall yield.
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