Suzie's Tips ... Delicious Food and Keeping it Safe

Pork Grades and What To Look For When Purchasing Although inspection is mandatory, its grading for quality is voluntary, and a plant pays to have its pork graded. USDA grades for pork reflect only two levels: "Acceptable" grade and "Utility" grade. Pork sold as Acceptable quality pork is the only fresh pork sold in supermarkets. It should have a high proportion of lean meat to fat and bone. Pork graded as Utility is mainly used in processed products and is not available in supermarkets for consumers to purchase. What to Look For When Buying Pork When buying pork, look for cuts with a relatively small amount of fat over the outside and with meat that is firm and a grayish pink color. For best flavor and tenderness, meat should have a small amount of marbling. Hope that helps. Thanks for reading my food blog. Until tomorrow. Suzie Posted: Sunday 27th March 2005, 12:45 AM

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