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Chad Carr, Ph.D.

The Meat We Eat is a course designed to create a more informed consumer about the quality, safety, healthfulness and sustainability of muscle foods and address current issues in animal agriculture in developed and developing countries.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1
This week we'll get a basic overview of the US meat industry, and see how it compares to the European system.
Week 2
This week, we'll learn about humane animal slaughter, and about converting muscle to meat.
Read more
Week 3
This week we'll learn about meat inspection, slaughter inspection, and food safety.
Week 4
This week we'll learn about meat quality, fabrication, and packaging.
Week 5
This week we'll learn about cooking meat!
Week 6
This week we'll learn about the dietary benefits of meat, the sustainability of the meat industry, and meat byproducts.
Week 7
This week you'll complete your final project.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Course provides a foundational understanding of the meat industry for those seeking to develop an informed perspective
Expertise of instructor Chad Carr, Ph.D., in the field of meat science adds credibility to the course
Covers various aspects of the meat industry, including animal welfare, food safety, and sustainability
Curriculum aligns with academic programs in animal science, food science, and nutrition
Suitable for individuals interested in the food industry, public health, or animal welfare
May require additional resources for learners seeking more in-depth knowledge of specific meat industry topics

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive review of meat industry practices

Learners say this informative course offers a deep understanding of the meat industry's processes, including production, manufacturing, and global trends. Students appreciate the engaging lectures and knowledgeable instructor. Many reviewers note that this course has helped them advance their knowledge and skills in the field.
Instructor is knowledgeable with great teaching skills
"Excellent training by Mr.Chad Carr"
"great teaching skills and I learned alot"
"Informative course the instructor's method of teaching is amazing."
Covers a wide range of topics in the meat industry
"Excellent course! It is a Complete Course to learn about the Meat Industry."
"Profundiza muy bien los temas, muestra datos prácticos."
"Its really beneficial to get more acknowledge about the meat production and manufacturing"
Some information may be outdated
"The class is 5 years old and it seems dated and some of the stats they quoted were from 2000."
Focuses primarily on US meat industry
"Good. Not much about other world issues, like Europe and Asia, but OK for me"
"Very good course.....still you may add few topics on global meat eating habits,availability ,culture,historians a bit about religious impact on meat eating.Because I feel it only talks about USA strandards"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Meat We Eat with these activities:
Volunteer at a local meat processing plant
Gain hands-on experience in the meat industry and contribute to your community.
Show steps
  • Find a local meat processing plant that accepts volunteers
  • Contact the plant and inquire about volunteer opportunities
  • Complete any necessary training or orientation
  • Show up on time and work hard
Find a mentor in the meat industry
Connect with an experienced professional to gain insights and guidance in the meat industry.
Show steps
  • Research potential mentors in the meat industry
  • Reach out to potential mentors and ask for their guidance
  • Meet with your mentor regularly to discuss your career goals
Read 'The Meat We Eat' by H. Russell Cross
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the meat industry from farm to table.
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow a copy of the book
  • Read the book and take notes
  • Discuss the book with others
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Learn about the different methods of meat preservation
Expand your knowledge of the techniques used to preserve meat and ensure its safety.
Show steps
  • Research different methods of meat preservation
  • Watch videos or read articles about how these methods work
  • Discuss the pros and cons of each method
Identify different cuts of meat
Improve your ability to visually identify and differentiate various cuts of meat.
Show steps
  • Find a diagram or chart of different cuts of meat
  • Study the different cuts and their locations on the animal
  • Practice identifying cuts of meat in person or from pictures
Create a meat-themed infographic
Create a visual representation of your understanding of meat science.
Show steps
  • Research different aspects of meat science
  • Choose a topic for your infographic
  • Design your infographic using a tool like Canva
  • Share your infographic with others
Attend a meat science workshop
Immerse yourself in a hands-on learning experience focused on meat science.
Show steps
  • Find a meat science workshop in your area
  • Register for the workshop
  • Attend the workshop and participate in the activities
Participate in a meat science competition
Test your knowledge and skills in a competitive setting to deepen your understanding of meat science.
Show steps
  • Find a meat science competition to participate in
  • Prepare for the competition by studying and practicing
  • Compete in the competition and give it your best effort

Career center

Learners who complete The Meat We Eat will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Quality Assurance Manager
This course may be useful for Quality Assurance Managers. They ensure that products and services meet quality standards. This course covers meat quality, fabrication, and packaging, which are all important aspects of quality assurance in the meat industry. By taking this course, Quality Assurance Managers can enhance their knowledge of quality control measures and best practices.
Food Technologist
This course may be useful for Food Technologists. They develop and improve food products. This course covers meat quality, fabrication, and packaging, which are all important aspects of food technology. By taking this course, Food Technologists can gain insights into the latest trends and technologies in meat processing.
Meat Inspector
This course may be useful for Meat Inspectors. They inspect meat and meat products to ensure that they are safe and wholesome. This course covers meat inspection, slaughter inspection, and food safety, which are the core responsibilities of Meat Inspectors. By taking this course, Meat Inspectors can enhance their knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices.
Veterinary Food Anima Specialist
This course may be useful for Veterinary Food Animal Specialists. They provide veterinary care to food animals, such as cattle, pigs, and poultry. This course covers humane animal slaughter, meat inspection, and food safety, which are all important aspects of veterinary care for food animals. By taking this course, Veterinary Food Animal Specialists can enhance their knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices.
Animal Nutritionist
This course may be useful for Animal Nutritionists. They develop and implement feeding programs for livestock. This course covers the dietary benefits of meat, which can help Animal Nutritionists create optimal diets for livestock. By understanding the nutritional value of meat, Animal Nutritionists can contribute to the health and well-being of animals.
Meat and Poultry Processing Manager
This course may be useful for Meat and Poultry Processing Managers. They oversee the operations of meat and poultry processing plants. This course covers meat inspection, slaughter inspection, and food safety, which are all critical aspects of meat and poultry processing. By taking this course, Meat and Poultry Processing Managers can enhance their knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices.
Animal Welfare Inspector
This course may be useful for Animal Welfare Inspectors. They investigate and enforce animal welfare laws and regulations. This course covers humane animal slaughter, which is an important aspect of animal welfare. By taking this course, Animal Welfare Inspectors can gain insights into the standards and requirements for humane animal handling and slaughter.
Food Safety Manager
This course may be useful for Food Safety Managers. They ensure that food is safe to eat. This course covers meat inspection, slaughter inspection, and food safety, which are all critical aspects of food safety management. By taking this course, Food Safety Managers can enhance their knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices.
Meat Product Development Specialist
This course may be useful for Meat Product Development Specialists. They develop new meat products and improve existing ones. This course covers meat quality, fabrication, and packaging, which are all important aspects of meat product development. By taking this course, Meat Product Development Specialists can gain insights into the latest trends and technologies in meat processing.
Meat Scientist
This course may be useful for Meat Scientists. Meat Scientists study the safety, quality, and processing of meat. This course covers meat quality, fabrication, and packaging, which are all important aspects of meat science. By taking this course, Meat Scientists can enhance their knowledge of meat and its properties.
Agricultural Inspector
This course may be useful for Agricultural Inspectors. Agricultural Inspectors ensure that agricultural products meet safety and quality standards. This course covers meat inspection, which is a key aspect of food safety. By understanding meat inspection, Agricultural Inspectors can better enforce safety regulations and protect consumers.
Livestock Farm Manager
This course may be useful for Livestock Farm Managers. This course covers the quality, safety, and sustainability of muscle foods. Livestock Farm Managers may oversee the feeding, breeding, and care of livestock. Livestock are raised to produce meat, which is the focus of this course.

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Meat We Eat.
Exposes the cruelty and environmental damage caused by the modern meat industry.
Provides a detailed overview of the microbiology of meat, including topics such as spoilage, foodborne pathogens, and antimicrobial resistance. It valuable reference for food safety professionals and researchers.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the animal agriculture industry, from production to processing. It covers topics such as animal nutrition, genetics, and meat science.
Provides a comprehensive overview of animal welfare, including topics such as animal sentience, animal rights, and the ethical implications of animal use.
Classic work of animal ethics that argues for the abolition of factory farming.
Provides a detailed look at the ethical and welfare issues surrounding the meat industry.

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