Irish brand Kepak Group has become the first European meat processor to gain access to the U.S. burger market in a value-added format of beef burgers.
The approval was announced on Oct. 7 at Anuga, the world’s largest trade fair for food and beverages.
The development follows the launch of the first Irish beef retail brand in the U.S. in 2017, and means Irish beef will be available in burger patty format in the U.S. for the first time.
The USDA-approved value-added patties will feature Kepak’s “grass-fed, fully traceable and hormone-free Irish beef.”
Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture, Andrew Doyle said:“With Brexit on the horizon, the current environment for business is challenging, particularly for the beef sector, and developing and growing new markets is a key response to these challenges.
Today’s announcement is most welcome news, particularly for the local community in Monaghan where this meat will be produced.”
