Restructured steak

Restructured steak is a catch-all term to describe a class of imitation beef steaks made from smaller pieces of beef fused together by a binding agent. Its development started from the 1970s. Allowed food-grade agents include:

• Sodium chloride (table salt) and phosphate salts. Salt can prevent microbiological growth and make myosin-type proteins more soluble. The allowed amount of phosphate in end products is 0.5% in the U.S. It increases the emulsification of fat.
• Animal blood plasma
• Alginate: Sodium alginate forms an adhesive gel in the presence of Ca²⁺ ion.
• Transglutaminase: an enzyme that helps the forming of cross-binding proteins.

Problems

Oxidation and food poisoning are the two most serious issues generally associated with restructured steak. To reduce the risk of food poisoning, restructured steaks should always be cooked until well-done.