Les charcuteries

Processed meat products result from the processing of animal meats but essentially from pork. The Code of practice for the production of processed meat defines the right practices of processing and ensures the good quality and conformity of the about 400 local processed meat products. In France, nowadays, 90% of adults and also of children consume processed meat at least once a week (mainly as cooked ham). In adults, mean consumption reaches 34.3 g/j. Processed meat products provide proteins wit high biological value and good digestibility. Fat content decreased by 25% in 30 years and these lipids are mainly unsatured. For some products, salt is essential to ensure a good microbiological quality, however salt content has declined largely over the last decades. Processed meat products are high nutrient density foods: B vitamins, iron and zinc have attractive scores. The usual portion of a processed meat product associated with the other components of the meal contributes to its nutritional balance and participates in its pleasantness.