Troubleshooting

Check our list below for help troubleshooting problems with fresh sausage, deli and lunch meat, and processed sausage.

Fresh Sausage

Shelf Life Problems

Kitchen Sanitation

Problem :
Wet sausage table promotes bacterial growth.
Solution :
Implement a standard operating procedure for sanitation that tests for cleanliness and bacteria contamination.

Temperature

Problem :
Warm environment increases bacteria growth.
Solution :
Keep meat block below 40º F (4.44º C) or cooler. Do not freeze — it can weaken the casing once opened. Seal collagen and fibrous casings in vacuum pouches or a sealed plastic bag in a dry cooler once opened.

Ingredients

Problem :
Improper storage spoils ingredients.
Solution :
Keep natural casings in salt or brine in a cooler at 40º F (4.44º C) or lower. Do not freeze — it can weaken the casing once opened. Seal collagen and fibrous casings in vacuum pouches or a sealed plastic bag in a dry cooler once opened.

No Particle Definition/Smear

Grease inside casing

Problem :
Softened fat forms smeared grease on inside of casing, creating patches of opaque material which obscure particle definition.
Solution :
Keep meat block temperature at 32º–34º F (0º–1.1º C) when processing and don’t overwork the sausage formula, which creates friction and heat that softens the fat particles. Also, changing from a smooth horn to a fluted horn may minimize or eliminate smearing.

Graying

Problem :
Oxidation causes sausage to change colors.
Solution :
Use UV-filtered plastic overwrap on tray packs. A tinted collagen casing can keep fresh sausage looking pink longer. Use it on manufactured-style fresh sausage along with UV-blocking overwrap to increase sausage sales.

Cloudy Casings

Problem :
Cloudy appearance makes it more difficult to see fresh ingredients in sausage, which is unappealing to consumers.
Solution :

Hog casings can vary in thickness and opacity, so buy casings with more clarity. Ask your Oversea Casing account executive for alternatives.

Threads of connective tissue, or whiskers

Problem :
Visible threads of fatty connective tissue, or whiskers, appear on inside curve of casing as a result of processing hog casing with a knife.
Solution :

Try Oversea Casing’s REAL™ brand hand pulled hog casings, which don’t have threads, or Oversea Casing Fresh-Link™ casings that offer whisker-free appearance but added strength and long strands of a knife cut casing.

Deli and Lunchmeat

Splitting Casings

Problem :
Sausage casings split open.
Solution :
  • Don’t overstuff. Make sure stuffed circumference matches manufacturer’s recommended measurements.
  • Dry casings until sweat is out, then smoked and finished in high humidity of at least 50%.
  • Soak casings in 90º–100º F (32.2º-37.7º C) for 20–30 minutes and make sure water gets inside casings.
  • Check stuffing horn, clipper, stuffing table or racks in the smokehouse for burrs or nicks, which can cause splitting.
  • Use high-quality, fresh raw materials. High bacteria counts in meat will explode the casing during cooking.

Wrinkling

Problem :
Casing looks wrinkled.
Solution :
  • Do not understuff. Make sure stuffed circumference matches manufacturer’s recommended measurements.
  • Shower then hold casings at room temperature 30–60 minutes before placing in cooler. Cooling too quickly will wrinkle casings.
  • Adjust clipper if metal clips clip during cooking.

Not Taking Smoke

Problem :
Casings won’t absorb smoke.
Solution :
Make sure casing isn’t too wet, forming a barrier that prevents smoke absorption. It should be tacky to the touch when put into the smokehouse.

Streaking

Problem :
Too much humidity causes streaks.
Solution :
Control humidity levels before and during smoking to prevent droplets of moisture from running down the product, washing off the smoke and causing streaks.

Muddy Color

Problem :
High humidity during smoke cycle results in muddy appearance.
Solution :
Start smoke when casings are tacky to touch. Smoke at 25–30% R.H. and finish at least at 50% humidity.

Casing separating from meat

Problem :
Casings release and detach from the meat.
Solution :
  • ​Soak casings in water at 90º–100º F (32.2–37.77º C) for 20–30 minutes and make sure water gets inside the casings.
  • Avoid very high humidity and drying in the first cycle, which can cause early casing release and separation.
  • Use a protein-coated casing to adhere casings to the meat. It is best used on summer sausage, beef logs and products not intended for peeling and slicing.

Casing won’t peel

Problem :
Hard-to-peel casings.
Solution :
  • Smoke casings at 25–30% R.H., then finish at least at 50% humidity. If entire cook cycle is too dry, the casings may not peel.
  • Shower casings after smoking.
  • Use an “Easy Peel” casing coated with a release agent on the inside.

Casing won’t stuff out to an even diameter

Problem :
Casing won’t stuff evenly.
Solution :

Soak casings in water at 90º–100º F (32.2–37.77º C) for 20-30 minutes and make sure water gets inside the casings. Improperly soaked casings won’t stuff correctly.

Pear or teardrop shape

Problem :
Casings aren’t shaped correctly.
Solution :
  • Soak casings in water at 90º–100º F (32.2–37.77º C) for 20–30 minutes and make sure water gets inside the casings. Improperly soaked casings won’t shape out right.
  • Don’t understuff. Make sure stuffed circumference matches manufacturer’s recommended measurements.
  • Beware large diameter casings in very long pieces: They may contain too much weight for the casing walls to keep their shape.

Processed Products

Bursting in the smokehouse

Problem :
Sausage casing burst open while smoking.
Solution :
  • Check clipper setting to ensure metal clips aren’t too tight.
  • Inspect clips, clipper or other equipment in contact with sausage for burrs or nicks.
  • Use strong casings. Those that are weak and have holes can cause bursting.
  • Check smoke cycle and consider adjusting.
  • Consult with your Oversea Casing account executive for additional help.

Greasing Out

Problem :
Pockets of grease form inside the casing or on outside of the sausage.
Solution :
  • Check your meat block. The choice of meat block is important to achieve a good emulsion that will not separate or grease out.
  • Use muscle meat to make an emulsion that will bind everything together to stand up under the heat of processing. Connective tissue or organ meats aren’t good for binding. They require additional protein sources such as milk powder or soy protein.
  • Check your smoke cycle and temperatures, which play a key role in setting protein to hold emulsion together.
  • Consult with your smokehouse supplier.

Insufficient Color

Problem :
Light patches without smoke color.
Solution :
  • Make sure sausage is tacky to the touch, but not too wet when it goes into the smokehouse. Water forms a barrier to smoke absorption.
  • Check smoke circulation and balance in the smokehouse. Smoke flow should be even throughout.
  • If using liquid smoke, check nozzles to ensure proper atomization.
  • Make sure smokehouse is properly filled, not too full, and product should not be touching.

Uneven color

Problem :
Colors are not uniform.
Solution :
  • Check mixing cycle to be sure the cure is dispersed throughout the formulation.
  • Consider adjusting cook cycle for better reddening.
  • Check smoke circulation and balance in smokehouse, as the uneven color could be a smoking issue.

Fading Color

Problem :
Smoke sausage color starts fading as soon as it leaves smokehouse.
Solution :
  • Use UV-filtering plastic packaging, which can help but won’t stop color loss.
  • Try Oversea Casing’s Flavo-Fresh Color™ casing. It’s dyed in smoke tone colors that stop the fading and keep smoke sausage looking fresh longer. It can even help increase smokehouse productivity.

White Spots

Problem :
Powdery, white spots appear on smoke sausage after showering.
Solution :

Check for hard water. Some water supplies have high lime content that leaves a powdery residue.

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AVISO DE PRIVACIDAD

En cumplimiento con lo establecido por la Ley Federal de Protección de Datos Personales en Posesión de Particulares, OVERSEA CASING, S. DE R.L. (OVERSEA) ANTES DEWIED INTERNACIONAL DE MEXICO, S. DE R.L. DE C.V., con domicilio en SUR 25 #270, LEYES DE REFORMA 2DA SECCION, 09310 IZTAPALAPA, CDMX., y quien es responsable de recabar sus datos personales, hace de su conocimiento el presente Aviso de Privacidad:

 

OVERSEA sólo obtiene datos personales de identificación, contacto y/o laborales, de conformidad con las leyes y disposiciones aplicables y con el único propósito de evaluar, y en su caso estar en posibilidad de establecer relaciones jurídicas que por acuerdo mutuo con usted se pretendan formalizar, siendo que tales datos son necesarios para el establecimiento de dichas relaciones.

 

OVERSEA no obtiene datos sensibles.

 

OVERSEA informa que los datos personales proporcionados por cualquier motivo son tratados de manera confidencial, por lo que no son compartidos a terceros, a menos de que OVERSEA esté obligado a ello conforme a las normas aplicables.

 

Usted tiene derecho a conocer qué datos personales tenemos de usted, para qué los utilizamos y las condiciones del uso que les damos (Acceso). Asimismo, es su derecho solicitar la corrección de su información personal en caso de que esté desactualizada, sea inexacta o incompleta (Rectificación); que la eliminemos de nuestros registros o bases de datos cuando considere que la misma no está siendo utilizada conforme a los principios, deberes y obligaciones previstas en la normativa (Cancelación); así como oponerse al uso de sus datos personales para fines específicos (Oposición). Estos derechos se conocen como derechos ARCO.

Para el ejercicio de cualquiera de los derechos ARCO, usted deberá presentar la solicitud respectiva por escrito al correo electrónico [email protected], con atención al encargado del tratamiento de datos personales en OVERSEA, el Sr. Jorge Alejandro Cordova Granados. Con la finalidad de poder atender su solicitud, ésta deberá satisfacer todos los requisitos previstos en la Ley Federal de Protección de Datos Personales en Posesión de Particulares.

 

Cualquier modificación al presente Aviso de Privacidad podrá consultarse a través de la página web que OVERSEA pone a su disposición: www.overseacasing.com, en el apartado de Aviso de Privacidad.

  

REV 211005

AVISO DE PRIVACIDAD

En cumplimiento con lo establecido por la Ley Federal de Protección de Datos Personales en Posesión de Particulares, OVERSEA CASING, S. DE R.L. (OVERSEA) ANTES DEWIED INTERNACIONAL DE MEXICO, S. DE R.L. DE C.V., con domicilio en SUR 25 #270, LEYES DE REFORMA 2DA SECCION, 09310 IZTAPALAPA, CDMX., y quien es responsable de recabar sus datos personales, hace de su conocimiento el presente Aviso de Privacidad:

 

OVERSEA sólo obtiene datos personales de identificación, contacto y/o laborales, de conformidad con las leyes y disposiciones aplicables y con el único propósito de evaluar, y en su caso estar en posibilidad de establecer relaciones jurídicas que por acuerdo mutuo con usted se pretendan formalizar, siendo que tales datos son necesarios para el establecimiento de dichas relaciones.

 

OVERSEA no obtiene datos sensibles.

 

OVERSEA informa que los datos personales proporcionados por cualquier motivo son tratados de manera confidencial, por lo que no son compartidos a terceros, a menos de que OVERSEA esté obligado a ello conforme a las normas aplicables.

 

Usted tiene derecho a conocer qué datos personales tenemos de usted, para qué los utilizamos y las condiciones del uso que les damos (Acceso). Asimismo, es su derecho solicitar la corrección de su información personal en caso de que esté desactualizada, sea inexacta o incompleta (Rectificación); que la eliminemos de nuestros registros o bases de datos cuando considere que la misma no está siendo utilizada conforme a los principios, deberes y obligaciones previstas en la normativa (Cancelación); así como oponerse al uso de sus datos personales para fines específicos (Oposición). Estos derechos se conocen como derechos ARCO.

Para el ejercicio de cualquiera de los derechos ARCO, usted deberá presentar la solicitud respectiva por escrito al correo electrónico [email protected], con atención al encargado del tratamiento de datos personales en OVERSEA, el Sr. Jorge Alejandro Cordova Granados. Con la finalidad de poder atender su solicitud, ésta deberá satisfacer todos los requisitos previstos en la Ley Federal de Protección de Datos Personales en Posesión de Particulares.

 

Cualquier modificación al presente Aviso de Privacidad podrá consultarse a través de la página web que OVERSEA pone a su disposición: www.overseacasing.com, en el apartado de Aviso de Privacidad.

  

REV 211005

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