Amongst Johannesburg and Cape Town meat wholesalers, N1 is a leading supplier of the highest quality Halaal and non-Halaal meat products. This includes a fine range of mince products – from steak, extra lean, topside, chicken, ostrich, mutton and lamb on the Halaal certified meat side, to pork and venison mince on the non-Halaal side.

Popular and hugely versatile, minced or ground meat is a staple found in many dishes, but what are the rules governing minced meat exactly? According to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ Guidelines on Key Requirements for Government Markets:

• It’s the minced muscular tissue of the bones of cattle, sheep or pigs and not a mixture of the three. 
• It should consist only of lean meat and fat. 
• The fat content may not exceed 30%. 
• The product should contain at least 2,22% of protein nitrogen. 
• Grain products or other fillers, spices or other flavouring and preservatives may not be added. 
• The product should be characteristic in respect of colour and general appearance. 
• When the necessary spices, etc., are added in accordance with normal usage and the product is ready to be served, it should have a pleasant taste. No foreign odour may be present.
• The product may not contain any nitrates.

So, what should you look for when selecting the ideal mince? Well, that depends largely on the meal and nutritional content you’re aiming for. Ground meat is often graded by its fat content, as a guideline 10% or less is considered low in fat while mince with less than 4% is considered very lean, which is more likely to carry the Heart Foundation approval. 

If you’re looking for the healthiest option, then ostrich mince is your best bet – it’s practically fat-free and is lower in calories and cholesterol than other red meat minces. A good way to include this healthier option without necessarily sacrificing the taste of more traditional ground meat is to replace half the mince needed with ostrich mince – it will significantly reduce the fat content of the dish.

While lower fat content and ‘healthier choice’ often go hand in hand, the fat content also plays an important role in the overall taste, however, because the higher the fat content the greater the flavour and juiciness of the dish. Texture is another factor to consider: a coarse grind is ideal for hamburger patties, while a finer grind is ideal for dishes like meatballs or meatloaf, because it makes the meat more compact which allows it to better hold its shape.

Regardless of what your minced meat needs may be, rest assured that N1 has the best non-Halaal and Halaal meat South Africa has to offer – so, for the best in quality, delivery and service, call them today!