Beef Bones Regulations guidance
Friday 1 August 2008
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.
However, the prohibition on the use of bones or bone-in cuts of bovine, ovine and caprine animals in the production of mechanically separated meat (MSM) means that beef bones can not be used in the production of MSM. In addition, the vertebral column of cattle aged over 30 months when slaughtered are classified as Specified Risk Material and subject to strict controls on removal and disposal. Further information about the BSE controls is available below.