Demystifying Inedible Pork Blood: A Guide to the Surprising Uses of This Animal Byproduct

When most people think of pork, they envision roasts, chops, and sizzling bacon. But one part often overlooked is the blood. After slaughter, pigs’ blood is collected and rendered inedible for human consumption. However, this inedible pork blood is far from useless. It actually has a number of applications across various industries. Read on for a fascinating look at the many surprising uses of inedible pork blood.

What is Inedible Pork Blood?

Inedible pork blood refers to the blood drained from pigs after slaughter that is deemed unsuitable or unsafe for humans to eat. Typically this includes any blood that is not collected and contained in a hygienic manner. The blood is drained from the carcass and collected in large vats before being processed.

Since it is not handled in sanitary enough conditions for human food, the pork blood is considered inedible. However, it still has value as a protein source and can be utilized in other ways not involving direct consumption.

Animal Feed

One of the most common uses for inedible pork blood is as an inexpensive protein supplement added to animal feed. The blood is dried to create a powder called blood meal that is high in protein and nutrients.

Blood meal can make up 5-10% of farm animal feeds, providing extra amino acids to promote growth, especially in pigs and poultry It serves as a meat-based alternative to soybean meal

The plasma in pork blood is also sometimes separated and fed to piglets who have been weaned early and need protein. Overall, dried pork blood is a cost-effective way to give farm animals additional protein in their diets.

Fertilizer Production

Dried pork blood is also utilized in fertilizer production. Blood meal contains compounds like nitrogen that are important for plant growth.

The high nitrogen levels in blood meal, over 10%, make it well-suited as an organic fertilizer ingredient or supplement. It can be tilled into soil or sprayed onto crops as a nutrient-dense boost.

Using pork blood as fertilizer saves it from waste while also reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. It’s an eco-friendly practice that benefits both agriculture and the environment.

Food Ingredients

While not directly consumed, inedible pork blood finds its way into various food products as a functional ingredient:

• Meat Processing – The protein hemoglobin is extracted from pork blood and added to hot dogs and other processed meats to enhance color and appearance.

• Baked Goods – Blood plasma works as a binder and egg substitute in items like cakes and cookies. It also adds protein.

• Soup Base – Dehydrated pork blood is used in some Asian soups like Vietnamese bun bo hue for its flavor.

• Blood Sausage – Some cooks in rural areas may use inedible blood in blood sausages, though this is an unsafe practice.

• Iron Supplements – Iron extracted from pork blood is sometimes used to fortify breads and cereals.

Though not appetizing on its own, processed pork blood can serve various culinary purposes safely when handled properly.

Medical Applications

Pork blood also has uses in the medical field. For example:

• Bovine thrombin from cattle blood can act as an adhesive and hemostatic agent to stop bleeding during surgery.

• Blood plasma contains fibrinogen which helps clot blood and can be used as a wound sealant.

• Blood fibrin glues made from pig plasma can help repair injuries and incisions.

• Hemoglobin from blood is used in hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) which serve as temporary blood substitutes.

So while not meant for transfusions, processed pork blood components can play an important medical role.

Pet Food Additive

Some pet food manufacturers use dried pork blood as a protein source to boost the nutritional profiles of dog and cat foods. Since the blood is dried at high temperatures, it poses no disease risk as a pet food ingredient.

However, due to the lower amino acid bioavailability of blood meal, it makes up a very minor portion of pet foods, around 1-5%. It provides an inexpensive supplementary protein.

Considerations for Inedible Blood Use

While inedible pork blood serves worthwhile purposes, some important factors should be considered:

• Avoid direct consumption of uncooked blood due to potential health hazards. Always handle in strict hygienic conditions during collection and processing.

• Prevent any contamination of inedible blood intended for non-food uses like fertilizer to avoid spread of pathogens.

• Monitor inclusion rates when adding blood meal to animal feed to meet nutritional needs while avoiding mineral imbalances.

• Be transparent about blood usage as an ingredient in food products for ethical consumer awareness.

• Dispose of any excess blood via composting or delivery to a waste processing facility to mitigate environmental risks.

With proper handling and application, inedible pork blood can be transformed from an abundant waste product into a valuable commodity.

Next time you bite into a juicy pork chop, remember that even once the meat is consumed, the blood leftover from processing still serves an important purpose. Nothing goes to waste when using the whole animal responsibly. So don’t let inedible pork blood go down the drain – put it to good sustainable use instead!