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The Meat We Eat

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.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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

Informing consumers on meat production to table

According to students, The Meat We Eat offers a broad exploration of topics related to meat, from farm to fork. Learners particularly appreciate the course's ability to provide a clear understanding of the complexities involved in the meat industry, including production, safety, and health aspects. Many found the information to be highly relevant and useful for becoming a more informed consumer. While the course structure, including lectures and weekly modules, is generally well-received, some reviewers noted concerns regarding the perspective presented on potentially sensitive topics like sustainability and animal welfare, suggesting that the course may benefit from presenting more balanced viewpoints to appeal to a wider audience.

Course organized well week by week.

"The weekly modules were well-organized and made it easy to follow the progression of topics."

"I found the structure logical, moving from production to consumption."

"Good flow through the syllabus, the final project felt like a good capstone."

Useful info for daily purchasing choices.

"This course gave me practical knowledge to make better choices when buying meat at the store."

"Learned so much about labels and quality grades that I can actually use now."

"The section on cooking was surprisingly helpful and applicable to my kitchen."

Covers production, safety, health, cooking.

"I really liked how the course touched on everything from how the animals are raised to how we cook the meat."

"It wasn't just about the industry; it also covered the dietary stuff and environmental impact."

"Felt like a comprehensive look at the entire journey of meat, very informative."

Some feel the course viewpoint is biased.

"While the information was detailed, I felt there was a noticeable bias towards certain industry practices..."

"I would have appreciated a more neutral stance on topics like sustainability and intensive farming methods."

"Some parts seemed to gloss over criticisms of the meat industry, focusing heavily on justifying current methods."

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

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Gain hands-on experience in the meat industry and contribute to your community.

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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

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Connect with an experienced professional to gain insights and guidance in the meat industry.

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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

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of the meat industry from farm to table.

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Purchase or borrow a copy of the book
Read the book and take notes
Discuss the book with others

Five other activities

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Learn about the different methods of meat preservation

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Expand your knowledge of the techniques used to preserve meat and ensure its safety.

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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

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Improve your ability to visually identify and differentiate various cuts of meat.

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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

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Create a visual representation of your understanding of meat science.

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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

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Immerse yourself in a hands-on learning experience focused on meat science.

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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

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Test your knowledge and skills in a competitive setting to deepen your understanding of meat science.

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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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Technologist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Meat Inspector

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Veterinary Food Anima Specialist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Nutritionist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Meat and Poultry Processing Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Welfare Inspector

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Safety Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Meat Product Development Specialist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Meat Scientist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Agricultural Inspector

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Livestock Farm Manager

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.

Born Food

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Exposes the cruelty and environmental damage caused by the modern meat industry.

The Meat We Eat

Here's a deal for you

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Informing consumers on meat production to table

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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