Retail lighting: choosing the right spectrum for meat

Customers often judge the freshness and quality of meat within a few seconds. Product presentation, packaging, and the quality of the meat itself all matter, but lighting also strongly influences how the display is perceived.
General lighting is designed to illuminate a space. Retail lighting has a different purpose. It must also present specific products as naturally and attractively as possible.

This is why specialised LED spectra have been developed for meat counters, butcher shops, supermarkets and delicatessens.

Why does meat require specialised lighting?

Different meat products contain different colours, textures and levels of fat. Fresh beef has deep red tones, pork appears lighter, poultry contains less red, while cured meats and sausages introduce a wider combination of red, brown, pink and orange tones.
These products do not respond only to colour temperature. They respond to the individual wavelengths emitted by the light source.
If the spectrum does not contain sufficient energy in the required wavelength ranges, the product cannot reflect those colours effectively. Meat may then appear dull, grey, flat or less fresh, even when the luminaire has a suitable colour temperature and a high CRI.

Why one spectrum cannot optimise every meat product

A spectrum developed for fresh beef will not necessarily provide the best result for poultry, pork or processed meat.
Fresh red meat benefits from stronger reproduction of deep red tones. Pork and poultry require a more balanced white spectrum, while cured products often contain a combination of reds, browns and warmer tones.
Using one universal spectrum for all products therefore involves a compromise. The correct solution depends on which products are displayed and how natural or visually enhanced the presentation should be.

Colour temperature is not enough

Two LED modules can both have a colour temperature of 3000K while producing very different results in the same meat counter.
Colour temperature describes the overall colour appearance of the light. It does not describe the complete spectral power distribution.
One 3000K module may emit more energy in the deeper red wavelengths, while another may concentrate more energy in the yellow and green parts of the spectrum. Both appear warm white, but the illuminated products can look noticeably different.
For meat lighting, the complete spectrum is therefore more important than the CCT value alone.

It is not simply about adding more red

Specialised meat lighting should not make every product look intensely red. Excessive red energy can create an artificial appearance. Fat may become pink, colour differences between products may be reduced and the entire display can lose visual credibility. A well-designed meat spectrum balances several wavelength ranges. It should support the natural appearance of lean meat while  preserving the contrast between meat, fat, marbling, packaging and surrounding materials.

Choosing the right meat module

Different retail environments require different spectral solutions. At Light4U, meat lighting can be selected in three main versions: Fresh Meat, Meat and Decor Meat.

Fresh Meat

The Fresh Meat spectrum is developed primarily for fresh red meat. It is particularly suitable for:

• Fresh beef
• Lamb
• Premium raw meat displays
• Butcher counters focused on fresh red meat

The spectrum supports the reproduction of deep red tones while maintaining visible contrast between lean meat, fat and marbling.
Fresh Meat is the preferred choice when fresh beef or lamb is the main product and a natural perception of freshness is important.

Meat

The Meat spectrum provides a more balanced solution for counters containing several types of meat. It is suitable for:

• Mixed butcher counters
• Supermarkets
• Displays containing beef, pork and poultry
• General meat and processed meat applications

Instead of optimising one specific product category, the Meat spectrum provides consistent colour reproduction across a broader range of products.
It is a practical choice when different meat types are displayed under the same lighting installation.

Decor Meat

Decor Meat is intended for applications where visual presentation and atmosphere have a particularly important role. It is suitable for:

• Premium butcher shops
• Delicatessens
• Gourmet food displays
• Restaurants and hospitality environments
• Decorative food presentation

The spectrum creates a richer and more expressive appearance, making it suitable for environments where the display must attract attention and support a premium atmosphere.
Decor Meat is the preferred option when visual impact is prioritised over strict colour neutrality.

Which version should you choose?

CRI does not tell the complete story

A high Colour Rendering Index is beneficial, but it does not automatically guarantee the best result for meat.
CRI expresses colour rendering as an average based on a defined set of test colours. It does not specifically evaluate the appearance of beef, pork, poultry, fat or processed meat.
Two luminaires with the same CRI can therefore present meat very differently when their spectral power distributions are not the same.
For this reason, the spectrum should always be selected according to the product category instead of relying only on CRI and colour temperature.

The surrounding lighting also matters

The selected spectrum should be considered together with the rest of the shop lighting.
If the general lighting has a very different colour temperature or spectral composition, the counter may appear visually disconnected from the surrounding space. Customers may also notice a sudden colour shift when a product is moved away from the specialised display lighting.
A good retail lighting concept therefore balances product enhancement with a consistent overall appearance throughout the shop.

The spectrum is only one part of the solution

Even the best meat spectrum cannot compensate for poor lighting design. The final result also depends on:

• Luminaire position
• Beam angle
• Mounting height
• Illuminance
• Uniformity
• Reflections from display glass
• Glare control
• Colour consistency between luminaires

The best results are achieved by combining the correct spectrum with suitable optics and a carefully designed lighting installation.

Test the products under the intended lighting

When possible, compare the available spectra using the actual products that will be displayed.
Different suppliers, preparation methods, packaging materials and counter surfaces can all influence the final appearance. A practical test makes it easier to determine whether Fresh Meat, Meat or Decor Meat provides the most suitable result.