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New Research finds Cherry Burgers
May Cut Cancer

Cherry hamburgers may be healthier for you than regular hamburgers, based on the results of a study by scientists researching this unusual combination. Adding cherries to hamburger meat retards spoilage and reduces the formation of suspected cancer-causing compounds known as HAAs (heterocyclic aromatic amines), according to researchers at Michigan State University (MSU). Previous research into the effect of combining cherry tissue with ground beef has shown the resulting product to be more than twice as low in fat, yet tender and more juicy than pure beef burgers.

Ray Pleva, of Ray Pleva’s Products, Inc. located in the small town of Cedar, Michigan, began combining cherries in meat at the urging of his daughter, Cindy, when she became National Cherry Queen in 1987. The first product produced, Cherry Pecan Sausage, became a local hit and since that time, over 30 cherry enhanced meat products have been developed. Two of the products, Cherry Pecan Sausage and Plevalean (Cherry Burger) both won Michigan’s New Product of the Year Awards. The cherry and meat process is patented.

Cherry burgers, though, have been ‘King’ of the cherry and meat products since its creation in 1992 and because of the research conducted by Michigan State University. Rarely can a product claim to be leaner and juicier without sounding contradictory. But the addition of cherries has been found to be key in creating a value-added product that is bursting with flavor and is like no other currently on the market!

In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture thought the product was so good, they recommended it as part of their National School Lunch Program. Currently, Cherry Burgers are on the school lunch menus in 16 states. These states include: Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia.

Cherry Burger’s have made appearances on Oprah, Extra!, CNN and a personal appearance on Tim Allen’s Home Improvement. Before that, Jay Leno, included a bit in his monologue along with featured spots on ABC, CBS, NBC and PBS.

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