Rinse & Chill

Regulatory Milestones

Rigorously tested, conclusively proven, approved and in commercial use for over 25 years

The technology that eventually became known as Rinse & Chill® began decades ago with a science-based vision of enhancing meat safety quality and economic attributes through reimagining what happens just after the point of slaughter. After years of university research, USDA Pilot Programs, foreign operations, extensive testing and government approvals, today Rinse & Chill® is used by leading small and medium sized independent meat establishments with final meat products sold at most major retailers and QSR's. Rinse & Chill® is patented and owned by MPSC, Inc. of Hudson, WI. It won full USDA "No Objection" status in 2004 and is now in use in a growing number of abattoirs, primarily in the U.S. and Australia.

MPSC's Evolution of Success

  • 1987-1992

    Beginnings

    USDA Pilot Programs and foreign operations focused on experimentation with parameters and optimization. Different substrate formulations, application methodologies, and engineering concepts were tested. Research was centered at Michigan State University under Dr. Thayne Dutson.

  • 1993-1997

    Answering the Regulators’ Questions

    Having now optimized the technology and thinking about obtaining Federal Approvals, MPSC began a new phase of research. This included inspection impact and product safety (micro dissemination tests, antimicrobial effects) at Kansas State University under James L. Marsden and at the University of Minnesota.

  • 1996-1998

    Australia & New Zealand

    Australia and New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) approvals were obtained, along with approvals by requisite authorities in the states of Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.  First two commercial beef R&C operations in Australia began in the state of Victoria. CSIRO study.

  • 1998-2001

    USDA Commercial Trial Approved

    USDA approved Commercial Trial for the first US plant located in Colorado.  Protocol approved for verification of previously validated data sets utilizing large sample sizes: residues, retained moisture, and microbiological assessments of carcass and organs.

  • 2001-2003

    Commercial Trial Extension

    USDA approved additional establishments under Commercial Trial of Rinse & Chill®, as well as for “Natural” meats. Both grain-fed and lean beef animals harvested via R&C in TX and CA establishments.  Favorable data sets again obtained for lower micro and no retained moisture.

  • 2003-2004

    AQIS, FSANZ Status

    Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) approved Rinse & Chill® technology.  AQIS and additional USDA Commercial Implementations began.

  • 2004

    USDA “No Objection” Status Received

    MPSC submitted its final report on the Commercial Trial in October of 2004.  USDA granted full “No Objection” status sixty days later in December. This allowed MPSC to fully commercialize R&C in beef and bison.

  • 2005

    AQIS “No Objection” Status Obtained

    Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) “No Objection” status is obtained stipulating similar conditions to USDA’s letter of “No Objection”.  Market Access Advice obtained for US export from Australia.

  • 2006

    Canadian and Japanese Approval

    After many years of submissions and review, Health Canada Novel Foods, CFIA  and Japan “No Objection” statuses are obtained.

  • 2008

    USDA Offals Labeling Exemption

    FSIS determined the processing aid definition is met for substrate ingredients in R&C byproducts. No labeling of these substrates is therefore required for further processed products.

  • 2012

    USDA “No Objection” Status - Pork

    USDA “No Objection” for pork obtained after initial R&D and data collection.

  • 2013

    New Zealand Approval, First Commercial Operations

    New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) “No Objection” status obtained. First commercial lamb plant implementation of Rinse & Chill® occurred on the South Island.

  • 2016

    US Lamb Approval

    USDA Lamb and Goat “No Objection” status granted by FSIS.

  • March 2021

    Rinse & Chill Meets the Definition of a Processing Aid

    Australian Department of Agriculture confirms Rinse & Chill® meets the definition of a Processing Aid. [Food Standards Code- Standard 1.3.3- Processing aids.]