The central theme for this volume was chosen since consumers have great
interest in purchasing low fat, low salt and reduced cholesterol meat,
poultry and fish products. As in past volumes, experts in the field have
been chosen to write chapters with emphasis on their breadth of knowl-
edge in each specific area. Efforts were also made to obtain authors
from different countries in order to give the book a worldwide
perspective. Chapter I stresses the nutritional and sensory properties
that meat, poultry and fish products make to healthful diets and
discusses consumer concerns about these products. Chapter 2 covers
dietary recommendations in major consumer nations, along with data from
food composition tables and the dietary contributions of meat, poultry
and fish to meeting dietary needs. Chapter 3 discusses the labeling of
low and reduced fat/salt prod- ucts which, although written mainly from
the US viewpoint, may serve as a model for labeling in other countries.
Chapter 4 reviews the rationale for reducing fat-energy levels in muscle
foods, problems encountered in their production and how these may be
solved. Chapter 5 discusses the scientific basis for reducing the salt
(sodium) content in food products and the health benefits derived from
lowering salt intake. Methods of reducing the cholesterol content of
these animal products is reviewed in Chapter 6.