Primary Production and Processing Standard for Poultry Meat

(Australia only)

The Primary Production and Processing Standard for Poultry Meat comes under proposal P282.

Work on the development of a Primary Production and Processing Standard for Poultry Meat started in February 2004 with the establishment of a Standard Development Committee (SDC) with government and industry members and a representative of the Australian Consumers’ Association. Industry members include producers and processors of chicken and game birds (e.g. ducks and quails).

In association with the poultry meat SDC, FSANZ prepared an Initial Assessment Report which was the basis for the first round of public comment. The report was released in May 2004 for an eight-week consultation period. This report contained an overview of the poultry meat industry, a discussion of hazards associated with poultry meat and the connection with human disease in Australia, and existing measures in place to manage food safety.

During the preparation of the Draft Assessment Report, the Australian poultry industry raised concerns that it was not feasible to consistently comply with the current fluid loss limit of 60g/kg of thawed poultry, specified within clause 2 of Standard 2.2.1 – Meat and Meat Products. To obtain stakeholders views on this matter for consideration at draft assessment, a Discussion Paper was released for consultation from 10-25 October 2005.

Following consideration of the comments received at initial assessment and on the discussion paper on fluid loss, FSANZ, in association with the poultry meat SDC, completed the Draft Assessment Report. The report was released in December 2005 for an eight-week consultation period. This report included a Scientific Assessment of the public health and safety of poultry meat in Australia. The findings of this scientific assessment were used to inform the development of risk management measures. The recommended regulatory measures are specified within the draft Primary Production and Processing Standard for Poultry Meat.

At the March 2006 SDC meeting it was identified that there was a need for baseline data on the prevalence and level of Salmonella and Campylobacter throughout the poultry supply chain. A national survey to obtain data is being coordinated by FSANZ. The initial data was collected in 2007 and it is expected that data collection will be completed by December 2008.

To assist with the interpretation of the Primary Production and Processing Standard for Poultry Meat, FSANZ is developing a Guideline. This Guideline will provide additional information to assist industry to comply with the Standard. Government agencies responsible for enforcing the requirements of the Standard will also be able to use the Guideline.

The Final Assessment Report, which includes the Standard, will be considered by the FSANZ Board later this year.