Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating uncooked meat to improve the colour stability and/or for reducing the onset of rancidity. The methods comprise contacting the uncooked meat with a composition comprising succinate and one or more of glutamate, malate, citrate, isocitrate, aconitate and pyruvate as active components. Also provided are methods for packaging uncooked meat products under a modified atmosphere, especially under a low-oxygen atmosphere, wherein the meat products are treated with a composition comprising succinate and one or more of glutamate, malate, citrate, isocitrate, aconitate and pyruvate as active components.