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Review article - Peer-reviewed, 2020

Perspectives and safety of horsemeat consumption

Balji, Yuriy; Knicky, Martin; Zamaratskaia, Galia

Abstract

In some countries, use of horsemeat as a food is inhibited by ethical and cultural concerns. However, horsemeat has potential health benefits, such as low fat and high unsaturated fatty acid content compared with other meats, as well as attractive sensory properties. Although there are many contradictory data on the dietary value in relation to human health, the effects of horsemeat have not been studied to a large extent. In this paper, we summarise existing knowledge on horsemeat quality and effects on human health. Our conclusion is that horsemeat may be consumed as a healthy alternative to other types of meat, provided that risks associated with microbial contamination during storage and possible presence of contaminants in horsemeat are taken into consideration. Future studies should evaluate the health-promoting properties and safety of horsemeat and associated byproducts.

Keywords

Health effects; horsemeat; nutritional composition; safety

Published in

International Journal of Food Science and Technology
2020, volume: 55, number: 3, pages: 942-952
Publisher: WILEY

Authors' information

Balji, Yuriy
S Seifullin Kazakh AgroTech Univ
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Nutrition and Management
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Molecular Sciences
University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG2 Zero hunger

UKÄ Subject classification

Food Science

Publication Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijfs.14390

URI (permanent link to this page)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/104918