Meat Guidance
Guidance notes for Meat Regulations
Find out more
Illegal Meat Guidance Notes England
Food Standards Agency guidance on illegal meat and poultry meat for food law enforcement officers in England is in the process of being updated. Following the introduction of the European Union Food Hygiene Regulations on 1 January 2006, much of the legislation contained with the guidance has been repealed.
Edible co-products and animal by-products guidance
This guide is written for operators of meat plants to help them understand the legislation on animal by-products and edible co-products.
The end of butchers' shop licensing
Butchers' shop licensing is being withdrawn across the UK from the end of 2005. From 1 January 2006, all retail butchers will be subject to the new EC hygiene regulations that apply to all other retail and catering businesses.
Beef Bones Regulations guidance
The Beef Bones Regulations 1997 were revoked with effect from 26/04/08 by the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (No. 2) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008 No 1180). This means there is no longer a ban on UK sourced beef bones being used in food manufacturing.
Clean livestock guidance
Two guidance booklets have been produced to advise livestock farmers on how to keep their animals clean prior to slaughter. A further booklet is currently being produced for producers who are involved in the sheep supply chain.
Guidance on food chain information for pig slaughterhouses
Legislation comes into force on 1 January 2008 requiring slaughterhouse operators to 'request, receive, check and act upon' food chain information (FCI) for all pigs sent to the slaughterhouse.
Labelling and Composition of Meat Products Guidance Notes
Commission Directive 2001/101/EC amends the Food Labelling Directive (2000/13/EC), and introduces a European generic definition of meat for the purposes of labelling. The definition puts meat ingredient declarations in meat products on the same basis throughout the European Union, providing consumers with consistent and more transparent information.
Potential contamination of on-farm water supplies with nitrofurans guidance
This note provides precautionary guidance to poultry producers on an issue that has potential food safety implications involving the banned nitrofuran veterinary medicine 'furazolidone'. We do not anticipate that this will be a widespread problem among the poultry industry.
Private Slaughter of Livestock Guidance Notes England
This guidance is currently under review and so the notes have been removed from the website.
The Meat Products Regulations 2003 - Summary guidance for bakers
These Guidance Notes are designed for bakers and similar small businesses that make and sell meat products.
The Meat Products Regulations 2003 - Summary guidance for butchers
These Guidance Notes are designed for butchers and similar small businesses that make and sell meat products. Comprehensive Guidance Notes covering all aspects of the new Regulations are available from the Food Standards Agency.
