FSA recommendation on the equivalence of microbiological monitoring programme for the verification of process hygiene criteria for red meat products in Australia

Background 

In February 2022, the UK Office for Sanitary and Phytosanitary Trade Assurance (UK Office) requested the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to assess an equivalence submission from Australia for “alternate microbiological monitoring for the verification of red meat process hygiene criteria”. FSA sought to determine whether the alternative measures proposed could be considered equivalent to the relevant requirements set out in Great Britain’s legislation. 

FSA’s assessment was based on the information contained in the original submission from Australia plus additional information provided by the Australian Authorities at the request of the FSA and considered the existing equivalence determination agreed in 2011 by the Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection of the European Commission (DG SANCO).

July 2024 FSA recommendation

The FSA concluded that Australia’s proposals in relation to the microbiological monitoring of beef and sheep carcases, except for the proposal to cease Salmonella sampling as part of process hygiene, to be equivalent to Great Britain’s current requirements.