Primary production and processing requirements for meat and meat products
Proposal P1005
A mix of animal health, welfare, biosecurity and meat safety systems developed and implemented on farms, in abattoirs and at meat processing plants ensure Australia has one of the safest meat supplies in the world.
As part of our on-going improvements to food safety, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is examining the meat supply chain with a view to including meat safety measures in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code). This would provide, for the first time, a truly national, through-chain preventative approach to managing meat safety in Australia.
At present, there is a standard for meat in Chapter 4 of the Code. However, this standard (Standard 4.2.3 Production and processing standard for meat) is limited to safety requirements for ready-to-eat meat. Accordingly, FSANZ will be looking at incorporating safety requirements for the primary production and processing of meat into this standard.
In conducting its examination of the meat supply chain, FSANZ will be assessing what requirements are necessary across the whole chain and their cost effectiveness in terms of delivering safe food to Australian consumers. We will then look at what measures are already in place, such as those applying to the meat processing sector, and assess whether any additional requirements are required in the Code. We will also seek to identify any safety gaps in the meat supply chain and address those in the standard.
The final product of this Proposal would be a standard in the Code that covers meat safety at all stages of production and processing. Like all standards in the Code, the new standard would be given effect through State and Territory legislation, thus ensuring a consistent national approach to the management of meat safety in Australia from ‘paddock-to-plate’.
Scope of the Proposal
The work includes meat and meat products from farmed cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, harvested goats and rendered products. Farmed minor meat species, emu and ostrich meat and wild game animals will be addressed later.
Consultation and communication on the Proposal
FSANZ has established a Standard Development Committee of industry, government and consumer representatives to provide expertise and advice throughout the work. The committee also provides an important link between FSANZ and the industry sector members.
FSANZ will publish reports for public consultation on at least two occasions during the Proposal. The first of these will be a First Assessment Report which will provide an overview of the meat industry, the proposed scope of the work, the food safety hazards that have been identified and the existing risk management measures currently in place in Australia and, where relevant, internationally. The report will also outline possible risk management measures. It is planned for publication on this website in September 2009. Comments and information in response to the report are welcome and will be considered in the further assessment work.
A later report - a Second Assessment Report is planned for release in 2010.
Individuals and organisations can be placed on the Register of Interested Parties to receive information on the progress of this Proposal and to be notified when public comment in invited. If you would like to be placed on the Register, please send your name, postal address and email address to information@foodstandards.gov.au
Further information is in FSANZ fact sheets and additional fact sheets will be published as the Proposal develops.
If you would like further information on Proposal P1005 which is not answered by information on the FSANZ website please contact:
Project Manager Amanda Hill 02 6271 2222 or FSANZ Information Officer email information@foodstandards.gov.au
April 2009