Future meat controls
Last updated:
5 October 2010
The aim of this programme of work is to build the supporting evidence through research to demonstrate the effectiveness of alternative approaches to official meat inspection. Ultimately, this scientific evidence will inform a case for European regulatory reform.
A qualitative risk assessment was carried out to establish if post-mortem visual inspection of red meat (except pigs) and large game alone represents an increased risk to public health, as well as to animal health and welfare. The effectiveness and benefits of visual-only inspection in controlling risks, compared to traditional inspection, were examined.
Results available
This project aims to assess the risk of using OAs, instead of OVs, for ante-mortem inspections of poultry and red meat.
Results available
The current system of post-mortem inspection using the typical macroscopic inspection techniques is ineffective in identifying the most common foodborne illness risks, e.g. Salmonella and Campylobacter. Therefore, there is a need to adopt a more appropriate, risk-based approach to meat inspection.
Results available
The possibility of inspection tasks being carried out by plant inspection assistants (PIAs) in approved game handling establishments (AGHEs) will be assessed for risk to public health, animal health and welfare, compared to traditional inspections.
The trained hunter’s (TH) examination and declaration will also be evaluated as a safe tool for meat inspection.
This study investigated ways of improving the effectiveness of meat controls and the costs and benefits of information exchange at the interface between animal production and slaughter for better public health, animal health and animal welfare.
Results available
This project will provide data and evidence to inform the FSA of the microbial safety of mechanically separated meat (MSM) from poultry and pork when compared to fresh cuts of meat, meat preparations and minced meat products.
This study will examine (across all species) inspection tasks as listed in EC Reg. 854/2004 and assess their value.
Results available
This research examined the potential for more targeted inspection activities for Cysticercus Bovis.
Results available
This research will examine the risk of amending the requirement for 100% OV presence during post-mortem inspection of poultry, when PIAs are carrying out post-mortem inspection.
Results available
The FSA is participating in a European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) project, to evaluate Toxoplasma gondii in livestock. The studies involve literature reviews, expert elicitations, epidemiological and experimental studies related to the presence, detection and distribution of cysts in meat and relationship with seroprevalence.
Results available
This report reviews the data that are collected during ante mortem and post mortem inspection at abattoirs in Great Britain
Results available
The aim of this research was to better understand the social processes in place within slaughterhouses to gain insight into the potential impact of regulatory reform.
Results available
This research aimed to establish if post mortem visual-only inspections, for pigs from non-controlled housing conditions ('outdoor pigs'), can be safely implemented.
Results available
The poultry inspection system trial aimed to explore a modernised official control system which introduced a focused approach to official control verification activity and root cause analysis of poultry processing to address food borne pathogens. Research was commissioned to assess if enhanced verification contributes to a reduction in levels of contamination and unseen microbiological hazards.
Results available