Edible beef heart may improve whole-animal utilization while enhancing the nutritional value of ground beef; however, its effects on refrigerated storage stability remain unclear. This study evaluated the influence of beef heart on the shelf-life characteristics of vacuum-packaged ground beef. Ground beef was produced in three batches per treatment from beef trimmings (80% lean and 20% fat). Treatments consisted of control (0% heart), 6% heart, or 12% heart. Samples were vacuum packaged and evaluated on days 0, 5, 10, and 15 for instrumental surface color, myoglobin forms, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and pH. Treatment × storage day interactions were observed for pH (p < 0.05), TBARS (p < 0.05), instrumental color (p < 0.05), and calculated myoglobin forms (p < 0.05). Including beef heart in ground beef altered surface color characteristics, resulting in lower a* values (p < 0.05) and greater hue angle (p < 0.05) on day 0. TBARS values increased with heart addition throughout storage, with the 12% heart treatment exhibiting the greatest TBARS values (p < 0.05). Beef heart inclusion altered some physicochemical characteristics, but these changes did not compromise product stability during 15 days of refrigerated vacuum storage.

Edible beef organs are nutrient-dense ingredients that may improve whole-animal utilization while enhancing the nutritional value of ground beef. This study evaluated the effects of organ type and inclusion level on the quality characteristics and consumer acceptability of ground beef patties. Patties were manufactured from three independent batches and formulated as a control (0% organ), 6% beef heart, 12% beef heart, 6% beef kidney, or 12% beef kidney. Nutritional composition, cooking characteristics, instrumental color, texture, and consumer acceptance were evaluated. Organ-containing patties had higher moisture content than the control (p = 0.0082), while 12% beef kidney resulted in the greatest cholesterol and sodium concentrations (p < 0.0001). Patties containing 12% beef kidney exhibited the lowest cooking loss (p = 0.0004) and Allo–Kramer shear force values (p < 0.0001), corresponding to the greatest consumer-perceived tenderness (p < 0.0001). However, this treatment received the lowest ratings for overall liking, flavor, texture, purchase intent, and willingness to pay (p < 0.0001). In contrast, 6% and 12% beef heart retained consumer acceptability comparable to the control while reducing formulation cost. These findings identify beef heart as a promising ingredient for increasing edible organ utilization in ground beef without compromising consumer acceptance.

Consumer acceptance remains a primary barrier to incorporating organ meats into value-added beef products, despite their nutritional profile. This study evaluated the effectiveness of educational infographics emphasizing either nutritional benefits or economic value on consumer perceptions of organ-enhanced ground beef. A total of 1939 U.S. consumers served as the experimental unit and completed an online survey administered through Qualtrics. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two educational infographic treatments (nutrition or economics and resource utilization). Consumer perception indices were calculated before and after infographic exposure. Changes in perception (Δ) were analyzed with infographic treatment, food familiarity level and their interaction. Educational infographics produced small numerical improvements in consumer perception, although responses did not differ between infographic types. No differences were observed among nutrition- or economic-focused infographics for any perception index (p = 0.1570). Likewise, no interaction between infographic type and Food Familiarity Index were detected (p = 0.4849). However, food familiarity significantly influenced acceptance (p < 0.0001), label transparency (p < 0.0001), and willingness-to-pay (p < 0.0001). Consumers with greater food familiarity reported more favorable perceptions than those with lower familiarity. However, FFI level did not impact economic perception. Current results demonstrate that concise educational messaging can influence consumer perceptions of organ-enhanced ground beef. Furthermore, improving consumer food familiarity may enhance acceptance and marketability of nutrient-dense beef products containing edible organ meats.