Offal & Rendering

“Drop” Credit: the value of byproducts

Variety meats and offal

• internal organs, muscle cuts, muscle associated with organs and viscera

USDA Inspection

Rendering

• long history from Native American culture using blood as fertilizer to tallow being used for candles/soups

• Need arose from increased animal production — what do we do with the extra?

• Commonly known as the “invisible industry”

• 2 types of renderers:

  • Packers/renderers that are located in the packing house — internally completed

  • Independent — no affiliation with a particular company/plant

Oleic and Linoleic Acid are the most common types of fatty acids found in beef