Smithfield Seasoned Pork Back Ribs

[Dave Kaneva]

I just bought these today on sale, and was too good to pass up. "seasoned" back ribs, 2 rack 3 lbs each, for 15 dollars canadian, what a steal!

Nowhere on the packaging or on their website does it actually say what the seasoning is. Is it enhanced, seasoned or what? And with what? Im on atkins and cant eat sugar or carbs, lol.

 

[K Kruger]

Likely water, salt, dextrose and phosphates. That would be my guess.

 

[Dave K]

I questioned my local store about that as well. They are seasoned with sea salt and water. Ther reason is to maintain a healthy pink colouring the packaging, without the pork turns to a greyish brown colour under the flourescent lights. Nothing wrong with it, it just looks bad.

 

[K Kruger]

Um, no. Salt and water won't maintain pink color. If they are being sold in cryo as Smithfield typically is then it isn't necessary; if in MAP then it isn't either.

 

[Dave K]

Thanks for clearing that up Kevin. I made another call to the butcher that I get 90% of my product from.. His reply is that water and salt is cheaper then Ribs and loins are, so if we add 15% water, we get 15% more weight, If we drop the price by 5% than the next guy, we still come out ahead. The "big" guys argue that it helps to maintain a moister, better tasting finished product.

However we all know how to cook things here, so we don't need there help