Beef

Beef is a general term used to describe the muscle derived from bovines that can be harvested from cows, bulls, heifers, or steers. Beef is the third most widely consumed meat in the world, accounting for about 25% of meat production worldwide, after pork and poultry. Research to date has shown that the beef quality, safety, and nutritional profile largely depend on various factors including genotypic characteristics, feeding strategies, pre- and postslaughter handling, and processing practices. This article outlines various beef production stages and their impact on the quality and safety of beef. The nutritional and health aspects of beef consumption have also been discussed.