d2590-1
A shopper examines a package of meat in a grocery store for freshness on Jan. 17, 2012. Consumers consider bright-red beef or bright-pink pork as a mark of freshness and quality. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have developed models using Vis/NIR technology that allows companies to identify beef and pork suitable for retail markets. USDA photo by Stephen Ausmus.