Electronically treated hamburgers get taste test at State Fair

An old food with a new twist will undergo the scrutiny of those attending the State Fair this year. The Iowa Beef Industry Council will offer free samples of hamburger that’s been electronically pasteurized. It’s the first large-scale public sampling of the specially-treated beef. Beef Industry Council spokesperson Nancy Degner says the treatment is similar to the pasteurization of milk.The electricity kills harmful bacteria on the beef patties, making them safer. The frozen meat patties are processed by a company in Sioux City that developed the electronic process. Degner says they want to find out what Iowans think about the treated meat.Degner’s tried the pasteurized product, and says she can’t tell any difference.She says the pasteurized meat provides another measure of security for some people with illnesses.Degner says electronic pasteurization is not a replacement for proper cooking and handling of ground beef.Degner says electronically-pasteurized frozen ground beef is available in some Hy-Vee stores in the state.