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Te Pou Oranga Kai O Aotearoa

 
 
 

Generic RMP Models for the Slaughter and Dressing of Farmed Mammals

Prelims

Amendment 0

December 2008

Table of Contents

Prelims 2

Disclaimer 4

1 Introduction 5

1.1 Purpose of this Document 5

1.2 Contents of this Generic RMP 5

1.3 Possible changes to HACCP application 7

2 Generic RMP for Slaughter, Dressing, Cooling and Boning of Bobby Calves 8

2.1 Operator, Business and RMP Identification 8

2.2 Management Authorities and Responsibilities 8

2.3 Scope of the RMP 9

2.4 Product Description 11

2.5 Process Description 14

2.6 Good Operating Practice (Supporting Systems) 17

2.7 Hazard Analysis and CCP Determination 19

2.8 CCP Summary 31

2.9 Identification and Control of Risks to Wholesomeness 31

2.10 Identification and Control of Risks from False or Misleading Labelling 32

2.11 Operator Verification 32

3 Generic RMP for Slaughter, Dressing, Cooling and Boning of Cattle 34

3.1 Operator, Business and RMP Identification 34

3.2 Management Authorities and Responsibilities 34

3.3 Scope of the RMP 35

3.4 Product Description 37

3.5 Process Description 40

3.6 Good Operating Practice (Supporting Systems) 43

3.7 Hazard Analysis and CCP Determination 45

3.8 CCP Summary 56

3.9 Identification and Control of Risks to Wholesomeness 56

3.10 Identification and Control of Risks from False or Misleading Labelling 57

3.11 Operator Verification 57

4 Generic RMP for Slaughter, Dressing, Cooling and Boning of Farmed Deer 59

4.1 Operator, Business and RMP Identification 59

4.2 Management Authorities and Responsibilities 59

4.3 Scope of the RMP 60

4.4 Product Description 62

4.5 Process Description 65

4.6 Good Operating Practice (Supporting Systems) 68

4.7 Hazard Analysis and CCP Determination 70

4.8 CCP Summary 82

4.9 Identification and Control of Risks to Wholesomeness 82

4.10 Identification and Control of Risks from False or Misleading Labelling 83

4.11 Operator Verification 83

5 Generic RMP for Slaughter, Dressing, Cooling and Boning of Sheep 85

5.1 Operator, Business and RMP Identification 85

5.2 Management Authorities and Responsibilities 85

5.3 Scope of the RMP 86

5.4 Product Description 89

5.5 Process Description 92

5.6 Good Operating Practice (Supporting Systems) 96

5.7 Hazard Analysis and CCP Determination 98

5.8 CCP Summary 112

5.9 Identification and Control of Risks to Wholesomeness 112

5.10 Identification and Control of Risks from False or Misleading Labelling 113

5.11 Operator Verification 114

Disclaimer

Important Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure the information in this report is accurate.

NZFSA does not accept any responsibility or liability whatsoever for any error of fact, omission, interpretation or opinion that may be present, however it may have occurred.


Website

A copy of this document can be found at: http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/animalproducts/index.htm

1 Introduction

Amendment 0

December 2008

1.1 Purpose of this Document

The Animal Products Act 1999 requires primary processors, including those involved in the slaughter and dressing of farmed mammals, to operate under a risk management programme (RMP). These generic RMP models have been produced by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority, in consultation with an industry working group, to assist processors in the development of their RMP. It shows how the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) can be applied and how RMP components could be written for a slaughter and dressing, and cutting and boning operation. It is emphasised that these models are not intended to represent the outcome of a complete RMP. Individual premises must customise their RMP to their specific products, processes and premises.

These generic RMP models are based on New Zealand requirements only. Exporters must ensure that they meet overseas market access requirements relevant to their product and process. In particular, exporters must be aware of requirements that relate to HACCP (e.g. US requirement for critical control points addressing the zero faecal tolerance criteria for carcasses and the control of E. coli O157).

1.2 Contents of this Generic RMP

Table 1 summarises the required components of an RMP, and indicates whether the particular component is covered or not in this generic RMP model. For practical reasons, not all requirements regarding the documentation of the RMP are covered in these generic RMP models.

A brief instruction or explanation about the RMP component is given for each section in the model, followed by a worked example presented as a form or table. Instructions and explanations are not part of the RMP and should be removed by the operator when preparing their own RMPs based on this generic model. Operators do not need to follow the format used in these models but it is important that all required information is documented clearly in their RMP.

Supporting systems must be documented and form part of the RMP. Lists of recommended supporting systems are given in sections 2.6, 3.6, 4.6 and 5.6, however, examples of documented supporting systems are not provided. Guidance on the documentation of supporting systems is given in Part 2 of the Meat Code of Practice.

A comprehensive discussion of the RMP requirements and components is given in the Risk Management Programme Manual which is available on the NZFSA website.

Table 1: RMP Components

Components

Section of the Generic RMP Models

Operator, Business and RMP identification.

Form 1

List of RMP documents.

A list of the documents comprising the RMP, with their date and version, must be included in the RMP. An example is not shown in this generic RMP.

Management authorities and responsibilities.

Form 2

Scope of the RMP.

Form 3

Product description.

Form 4

Process description.

Form 5

Good Operating Practice (Supporting systems).

A list of recommended supporting systems is given. The supporting systems must be documented in the RMP.

Examples are not given in this generic RMP. Refer to Part xx of the COP.

Application of HACCP (identification, analysis and control of hazards to human or animal health).

Forms 6 and 7

Identification and control of other risk factors (wholesomeness, false or misleading labelling).

Forms 8 and 9

Identification and competency of responsible persons.

This must be documented in relevant sections of the RMP. Records of competencies are expected to be documented in a supporting system.

An example is not shown in this generic RMP. Refer to Part xx of the COP.

Recall procedures.

This must be documented in a supporting system.

An example is not shown in this generic RMP. Refer to Part xx of the COP.

Corrective action procedures for unforeseen circumstances.

This must be documented in a supporting system.

An example is not shown in this generic RMP. Refer to Part xx of the COP.

Notification requirements.

This must be documented in a supporting system.

An example is not shown in this generic RMP. Refer to Part xx of the COP.

Operator verification.

Form 10

Provision for external verification.

RMP Specification 2008, Clause 17 should be copied or referenced in the RMP.

Document control and requirements for records.

This must be documented in a supporting system. An example is not shown in this generic RMP.

Refer to Part xx of the COP.

Confirmation of validity of the RMP.

Refer to the RMP Manual.

1.3 Possible changes to HACCP Application

NZFSA has designed a new domestic food regulatory system following four years of consultation and policy development. A new Food Bill is being developed to legislate this system. As part of this system, NZFSA is in the process of standardising the approach to HACCP. Once this approach has been finalised it is likely that the approach under other legislation such as the Animal Products Act 1999 and the Wine Act 2003 will be aligned. This is not expected to result in any significant changes to the approach to HACCP under the Animal Products Act.

2 Generic RMP for Slaughter, Dressing, Cooling and Boning of Bobby Calves

Amendment 0

December 2008

2.1 Operator, Business and RMP Identification

The name and address of the business operator must be documented in the RMP. The unique business identifier and the RMP identifier should also be included to assist in the traceability of documents.

Form 1: Operator, Business and RMP Identification

Information Required

Details

Business identifier.

e.g. ME81, PET123.

RMP no.

e.g. 01, 02.

Name of the operator.

Legal name of the business operator (i.e. the owner of the business).

Address of the operator.

Business address of the operator (e.g. postal address of head office).

Electronic address of the operator.

Email address and/or web site address.

Name of the business.

The registered company name, if different from the operator.

Physical address of the premises.

Location of the premises, if different from the operator’s address.

2.2 Management Authorities and Responsibilities

The operator must document details of the person who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the RMP. It is recommended that a deputy be designated who can take over from the day-to-day manager when necessary.

Form 2: Management Authorities and Responsibilities

Authority/Responsibility

Details

Day-to-day manager.

Give name or, preferably, give position or designation.

Deputy for day-to-day manager.

Give name or, preferably, give position or designation.

2.3 Scope of the RMP

The operator must clearly define the coverage and application of the RMP.

Form 3: Scope of the RMP

Elements

Description/Details

Physical boundaries.

Physical boundaries indicated on site plan given in Appendix xx.

Attach an accurate site plan. Ensure that amenities and external areas that may be a source of hazards and other risk factors are considered when establishing the physical boundaries. The site plan should also show any areas within the boundaries that are excluded from the RMP.

Risk factors covered by the RMP.

Risk factors associated with:

Human health (for products intended for human consumption)

Animal health (for products intended for animal consumption)

Wholesomeness

False or misleading labelling.

Animal material being processed.

Live bobby calves.

Products. 1, 2

Carcasses

Boneless and bone-in cuts

Trimmings

Offal for human consumption (e.g. heart, liver, kidney, tongue)

Products for petfood (e.g. offal, trimmings)

Animal material for rendering (e.g. fat, trimmings, bone, blood, offal, dead stock)

Animal material for pharmaceutical use (e.g. glands, blood).

Process. 1

From receipt of the live animals to loadout of carcasses and packed products.

Principal processing categories:

Slaughter and dressing

Boning/cutting

Refrigeration

Collection.

Exclusions.

Identify those materials, products or activities excluded from the RMP, and the alternative regulatory regime they are under. 3

1. The products and processes covered by this generic RMP are examples only based on a typical New Zealand bobby calf processing operation. The operator must ensure that their RMP accurately reflects their own products and processes.

The hazard analysis shown in this generic RMP only covers the processing of carcasses, cuts, and red offal to provide examples of how hazard analysis can be done. The operator must ensure that their RMP includes a hazard analysis for all products or product groups, and processes covered by their RMP.

2. Products should be listed either individually or as product groups with similar characteristics, processes and intended purpose. The list should be as specific as necessary for proper identification of hazards and their controls, but at the same time should allow flexibility in terms of other products of the same group that can be processed without the need for a significant amendment.

3. If any animal material, animal product, or food which is processed within the physical boundaries of the RMP is excluded from the scope of the RMP, the operator must identify the material or product, the alternative regulatory regime that they are under (e.g. Food Act), and explain how the interfaces between regimes are managed. The operator must also document authorities and responsibilities, and the management of interfaces in relation to any activity undertaken by another person within the physical boundaries of the RMP.

2.4 Product Description

The operator must describe the animal products covered by the RMP, either individually; or as product groups with similar characteristics, processes and intended purpose. The product description must include the intended use and consumer, any regulatory limit and/or operator-defined limit. Other information such as company specifications for packaging, labelling, and shelf life may be included.

No regulatory limit has been defined for raw meat products, including bobby veal.

Form 4: Product Descriptions and Intended Purpose

Product Name

Product Description

Intended Use of Product Produced Under the RMP

Intended Consumer and Use by Consumer

Consumer

Use

Carcasses, cuts and trimmings for human consumption.

Passed ante- and post-mortem examination

Meets microbiological outcomes set under the National Microbiological Database (NMD) programme

Chilled or frozen as per regulatory and company specifications

Packed and labelled as per regulatory and company specification.

Further processing into manufactured products, retail products, food service items.

General public

Cooked

Offal for human consumption.

Passed post-mortem examination

Chilled or frozen as per regulatory and company specifications

Packed and labelled as per regulatory and company specification.

Further processing into manufactured products, retail products, food service items.

General public

Cooked

Products for petfood
(e.g. offal, trimmings).

Passed as fit for animal consumption

Packed and labelled as per regulatory and company specifications.

Further processing into petfood.

Pets

Raw or cooked

Animal material for rendering

(e.g. fat, trimmings, bone, blood, offal, dead stock).

Labelled as per regulatory and company specifications.

Rendering.

Animals

Ingredient in petfood & animal feed.

Industrial use

Fertiliser

Animal material for pharmaceutical use for human consumption.

Obtained from animals that have passed ante and post-mortem examination as fit for human consumption

Labelled as per regulatory and company specifications.

Further processing into pharmaceutical products.

General public

Ingredient in pharmaceutical products.

Animal material for pharmaceutical use for animal consumption.

Passed as fit for animal consumption

Labelled as per regulatory and company specifications.

Further processing into pharmaceutical products.

Animals

Ingredient in pharmaceutical products (e.g. veterinary medicine).

2.5 Process Description

The process flow diagram(s) must accurately show the full extent of the process for all products covered by the RMP (i.e. up to loadout of each product or product group, including any rework or recycling steps). There is no prescribed format for the diagram but it should set out all steps sequentially, and show relevant inputs and outputs.

The examples given in this section are simplified presentations of the key steps based on a generic process. Only the main chain and processing of red offal for human consumption are shown as examples.

Form 5A:

Process flow diagram for slaughter, dressing, cooling and boning of bobby calves

1. Only those inputs that become part of the final product have been identified in this generic RMP. Companies may wish to include processing aids that come in contact with their product.

2. All outputs for human or animal consumption must be identified in the process flow.

3. The type, number and location of the decontamination steps within the process will differ for each premises. Antimicrobial decontamination steps currently being used in New Zealand are steam vacuum and chemical sprays. Refer to TD 99/185 for the New Zealand requirements for the use of hand held steam vacuum devices. Refer to USA OMAR: Meat and Ratite Products, section 2.6 for the requirements for the decontamination of bobby calves.

Form 5B:

Process flow diagram for red offal for human consumption (bobby calves)

2.6 Good Operating Practice (Supporting Systems)

The operator must document Good Operating Practices (GOP) in relevant supporting systems (also known as prerequisite programmes, good hygienic practices) before applying HACCP principles to the process. These supporting systems must comply with all relevant regulatory requirements, particularly the Animal Product Regulations 2000 and the current versions of the Animal Products (Specifications for Products Intended for Human Consumption) Notice and the Animal Products (Specifications for Products Intended for Animal Consumption) Notice. Each documented supporting system should provide information on: authorities and responsibilities, procedures (including control, monitoring, corrective action and operator verification procedures), and requirements for record keeping.

Part 2 of the Meat Code of Practice provides guidance on supporting systems relevant to the scope of this generic RMP. Supporting systems must cover the activities and procedures listed below:

Design, construction and maintenance of buildings, facilities and equipment;

Potable water;

Sanitation and cleaning of processing areas, facilities and equipment;

Personnel hygiene;

Training of personnel;

Control of chemicals;

Pest control;

Waste management;

Repairs and maintenance of equipment;

Refrigeration management;

Food contact materials (specifications, handling and storage);

Reception of animals (e.g. presentation status, condition of stock, supplier declarations);

Ante- and post-mortem examination procedures (when these activities are done by the operator);

Hygienic processing procedures (e.g. hygienic techniques and procedures for dressing, cutting, boning, collection of animal material; cleaning and sterilisation of equipment, dropped meat);

Handling and disposition of detained and non-conforming products;

Calibration of equipment and measuring devices;

Sampling and testing procedures;

National Microbiological Database (NMD) procedures;

Product identification and traceability;

Inventory control;

Recall of products;

Document control (including procedures for amendments);

Verification and notifications procedures.

2.7 Hazard Analysis and CCP Determination

2.7.1 Identification of Hazards from Inputs

The operator must identify any hazards associated with each input considering any supplier agreements and raw material specifications.

Form 6: Hazard Identification

Inputs

Description/Specification 1

Biological Hazard (B)

Chemical Hazard (C)

Physical Hazard (P)

Live animal.

Complies with regulatory requirements for animals presented for slaughter.

Bacterial pathogens associated with the faeces, ingesta and dirt from the gastro intestinal tract and the hide, e.g. Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni, E. coli O157:H7

Bacterial pathogens associated with grossly-detectable abnormalities (i.e. fever, abscesses, navel infections), e.g. Salmonella spp. for fever

Bacterial pathogens associated with bacteraemia 2,e.g. Salmonella spp.

Chemical residues, e.g. antibacterial products (sulphonamide).

None

Water/ice/steam.

Potable water.

None

None

None

Branding ink.

Suitable for use as food contact material.

None

None

None

Carcass tickets.

Suitable for use as food contact material.

None

None

None

Packaging materials.

Suitable for use as food contact material.

None

None

None

1. Agreed specifications and procedures for inputs must be documented in a supporting system.

2. Currently, potential hazards associated with bacteraemia cannot be adequately addressed by any control measure applied during the slaughter and dressing process, including post-mortem examination. Therefore, this hazard will not be considered further in this generic RMP.

Form 7A: Hazard Analysis and CCP Determination for Carcasses, Cuts and Trimmings

Process step

Inputs

Hazard reasonably likely to occur on or in the product at this step

Justification 1

Q1. Is there a control measure(s) for the hazard at this step?

If yes, identify the control measure and answer Q2 2.

Q2. Is the control measure at this step essential to food safety as defined by a regulatory limit or an operator-defined limit?

If yes, this step is a CCP 3.

If no, this step is not a CCP.

CCP no.

1. Receiving and Holding

Live animal

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Refer to Form 6.

No

   

C – Chemical residues

Refer to Form 6.

Controlled under the national residue programme. 4

Supplier declarations.

No

 

2. Ante-mortem examination

Live animal

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Micro carried from previous step.

Controlled under the ante-mortem examination system. 5

No

 

3. Stunning

Live animal

None

       

4. Sticking

Live animal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass from the hide can occur at this step.

Yes – correct sticking technique will minimise contamination.

No

 

5. Forequarter workup

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass from the hide can occur at this step.

Yes – correct opening cuts and flaying techniques, and prevention of rollback will minimise contamination.

No

 

6. Rodding & clipping weasand

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass with ingesta from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) can occur at this step.

Yes – correct rodding and clipping techniques will minimise contamination.

No

 

7. Plugging bung / tail removal

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass with faecal material can occur at this step.

Yes – correct plugging and tail removal techniques will minimise contamination.

No

 

8. Forequarter trim

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

9. Head skinning

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass from the hide can occur at this step.

Yes – correct skinning techniques will minimise contamination.

No

 

10. Hind & fore trotter removal

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass from the hide can occur at this step.

No

   

11. Hide removal

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass from the hide can occur at this step.

Faecal leakage is likely to cause faecal contamination on the rump and anal areas of the carcass.

Yes – correct hide removal techniques will minimise contamination.

Plugging of the bung partially controls occurrence of faecal leakage.

No

 

12. Head drop / washing & removal

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

13. Ringing of bung

Carcass / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Further contamination of the anal and rump areas during ringing is inevitable when faecal leakage occurs at Step 11.

Yes – correct ringing techniques will minimise contamination.

No

 

14. Trimming

Carcass / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Yes – hygienic trimming will remove any visible faecal contamination and reduce micro contamination on the anal and rump areas.

No

 

15. Evisceration

Carcass / offal

B - enteric pathogens

Micro contamination from the GIT can occur at this step.

Yes – hygienic techniques during freeing and dropping of the bung, and prevention of puncturing the GIT will minimise contamination.

No

 

16. Post-mortem / retain trim / re- examination

Carcass

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Micro carried over from the evisceration step.

Controlled under the post-mortem examination system. 5

No

 

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Yes – identification and hygienic trimming will remove any visible faecal contamination and reduce micro contamination on affected parts of the carcass.

No

 

17. Decontamination

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Yes – use of steam vacuum will reduce micro levels on vacuumed areas; or application of an antimicrobial spray will reduce micro levels on the carcass.

No

 

18. Grading

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

19. Carcass wash

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

20. Electrical stimulation

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

21. Cooling

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Growth of mesophiles can occur if there is cooling failure.

Yes – effective cooling will prevent the growth of mesophiles.

No

 

22. Pre-trim

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

23. Cutting & boning

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Growth of mesophiles can occur if there is temperature control failure.

Yes – hygienic boning techniques will minimise contamination, and temperature control will prevent micro growth.

No

 

P – bone in boneless product

Bone pieces can occur in boneless products.

Yes – correct boning techniques will minimise bone in boneless product.

No

 

24. Packing

Cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

25. Labelling & weighing

Packed cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

26. Metal detection

Packed cuts & trimmings

None 6

       

27. Blast chilling / freezing

Packed cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if there is refrigeration failure.

Yes – effective refrigeration will prevent micro growth.

No

 

28. Storage

Packed cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if there is refrigeration failure.

Yes – effective refrigeration will prevent micro growth.

No

 

29. Loadout

Packed cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if temperature abuse occurs.

Yes – time/temperature control during loadout will prevent micro growth.

No

 

1. The justifications given are supported by scientific information provided in the Technical Annex to this Generic RMP.

2. The procedures for the control measures must be documented in the RMP.

3. A CCP is a step at which control can be applied and is essential to prevent or eliminate a food safety hazard or reduce it to an acceptable level. The control measure at the step must be essential to food safety as defined by a regulatory limit or an operator defined food safety limit (i.e. no CCP if there is no defined limit). A critical limit, which is measurable and can be monitored on an ongoing basis, must be established for the CCP. The justifications given are supported by scientific information provided in the Technical Annex to this Generic RMP.

4. The control of chemical residues involves effective farming practices and the monitoring of chemical residues under the National Residue Monitoring and Surveillance Programme. Sporadic chemical residues at some level will always occur, but results from the programme indicate that residue levels in bobby calves are generally in compliance with national requirements. Therefore, they will not be considered further at subsequent steps in this generic RMP.

5. Grossly detectable abnormalities are addressed during ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations, which are currently the responsibility of the regulator. Therefore, they will only be considered at the ante- and post-mortem steps in this generic RMP. However, if ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations are undertaken by the company (i.e. operator’s responsibility), then these steps must be considered during hazard analysis.

6. The operator should assess whether metal is a hazard that is reasonably likely to occur in their product. In some cases, the installation of a metal detector and its identification as a CCP is a client requirement. Any client or market access CCP must be clearly identified as such in the RMP.

Form 7B: Hazard Analysis and CCP Determination for Red Offal for Human Consumption

Process step

Inputs

Hazard reasonably likely to occur on or in the product at this step

Justification 1

Q1. Is there a control measure(s) for the hazard at this step?

If yes, identify the control measure and answer Q2 2.

Q2. Is the control measure at this step essential to food safety as defined by a regulatory limit or an operator-defined limit?

If yes, this step is a CCP 3.

If no, this step is not a CCP.

CCP no.

1. Post-mortem examination

Red offal

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Micro carried over from the evisceration step.

Controlled under the post-mortem examination system. 4

No

 

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the evisceration step.

Yes – post-mortem examination system will identify offals that are not acceptable for collection.

No

 

2. Cold water flume to offal room

Red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

3. Inspection and trimming of defects

Red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Yes – hygienic handling and trimming techniques will minimise contamination.

No

 

4. Holding in chiller, ice or cold water

Red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if the product is not chilled properly and promptly.

Yes – effective chilling will minimise micro growth.

No

 

Ice / cold water

None

       

5. Packing

Red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

Packaging material

None

       

Bins (cleaned / sanitised)

None

       

Ice

None

       

6. Freezing

Packed red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if there is refrigeration failure.

Yes – effective refrigeration will prevent micro growth.

No

 

7. Storage

Packed red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if there is refrigeration failure.

Yes – effective refrigeration will prevent micro growth.

No

 

8. Load out

Packed red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if the product is temperature abused.

Yes – time/temperature control during loadout will prevent micro growth.

No

 

1. The justifications given are supported by scientific information provided in the Technical Annex to this Generic RMP.

2. The procedures for the control measures must be documented in the RMP.

3. A CCP is a step at which control can be applied and is essential to prevent or eliminate a food safety hazard or reduce it to an acceptable level. The control measure at the step must be essential to food safety as defined by a regulatory limit or an operator defined food safety limit (i.e. no CCP if there is no defined limit). A critical limit, which is measurable and can be monitored on an ongoing basis, must be established for the CCP. The justifications given are supported by scientific information provided in the Technical Annex to this Generic RMP.

4. Grossly detectable abnormalities are addressed during ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations, which are currently the responsibility of the regulator. Therefore, they will only be considered at the ante- and post-mortem steps in this generic RMP. However, if ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations are undertaken by the company (i.e. operator’s responsibility), then these steps must be considered during hazard analysis.

2.8 CCP Summary

A CCP was not identified for the slaughter and dressing of bobby calves, and the cooling and boning of bobby veal and co-products. The control of hazards at key steps is expected to be adequately addressed by GOP.

[Note: If a CCP is identified for a particular product/process (e.g. when a control measure is essential for the achievement of an operator-defined limit), the operator must apply the other HACCP principles related to a CCP (i.e. the identification of critical limits, CCP monitoring and corrective action).]

2.9 Identification and Control of Risks to Wholesomeness

The RMP must identify the risk factors related to wholesomeness that are reasonably likely to occur for each animal product covered by the RMP. It must also identify the control measures for addressing the risk factors. The control measures must be documented, including procedures for monitoring, corrective action and verification, and records. Only examples for carcasses, cuts and trimmings; and red offal are shown in Form 8.

Form 8: Summary of Identified Risk Factors and Controls Related to Wholesomeness

Risk Factor

Source or Cause of Risk Factor

Control Measure

Carcasses, cuts and trimmings.

Spoilage.

Micro contamination of product during dressing and subsequent handling.

GOP – hygienic dressing, cutting and boning.

Micro growth due to improper time/temperature control.

GOP – time/temperature control, proper refrigeration.

Wholesomeness defects (e.g. blood clots, bruises, hair).

Improper handling of live animals and dressing of carcasses.

GOP – handling of stock, hygienic dressing, trimming.

Red offal for human consumption.

Spoilage.

Micro contamination of product during dressing and subsequent handling.

GOP – hygienic handling.

Micro growth due to improper time/temperature control.

GOP – time/temperature control, proper refrigeration.

Wholesomeness defects (e.g. hair).

Improper dressing techniques.

GOP - hygienic dressing.

2.10 Identification and Control of Risks from False or Misleading Labelling

Any information applied to the packaging must be correct and accurate. The RMP must identify the risk factors related to false or misleading labelling that are reasonably likely to occur for each animal product. It must also identify the control measures for addressing the risk factors. The control measures must be documented, including procedures for monitoring, corrective action and verification, and records. An example is shown in Form 9.

Form 9: Summary of Identified Risk Factors and Controls Related to False or Misleading Labelling

Risk Factor

Source or Cause of Risk Factor

Control Measure(s)

All products.

Incorrect details on label or transportation outers, e.g.

species

claims (e.g. Halal, organic)

product description

lot id

storage directions.

Incorrect label design.

Procedures for ensuring correct label design.

Product put in wrong carton or pack.

Procedures for ensuring correct packaging of products.

2.11 Operator Verification

The operator must verify the effectiveness of their RMP against their documented procedures and any criteria defining the product’s fitness for intended purpose (e.g. regulatory limits, operator-defined limits, GOP requirements, critical limits). The verification procedures must be documented, including responsibilities, corrective action, frequencies, and records. The various verification activities may be summarised as shown in Form 10.

Form 10: Summary of Operator Verification Activities

Activity

Description

Supporting System

Review of monitoring and corrective action records.

All daily monitoring sheets checked to ensure that documented procedures are complied with, limits are adhered to, and appropriate corrective actions are taken.

xxx

Microbiological testing of carcasses and trimmings (NMD).

Microbiological testing as set out in the NMD programme.

xxx

Cusum inspection for defects.

Inspection of cuts for defects.

xxx

Internal audits.

Internal audit involving:

review of records

review of test results

reality checks.

xxx

Review of RMP including supporting systems.

Review of effectiveness of RMP.

Reassessment of RMP (e.g. hazards in light of new information and results to date, critical limits, process flow, inputs).

xxx

Other activities related to the verification of CCPs, regulatory limits, operator-defined limits, and supporting systems.

   

3 Generic RMP for Slaughter, Dressing, Cooling and Boning of Cattle

Amendment 0

December 2008

3.1 Operator, Business and RMP Identification

The name and address of the business operator must be documented in the RMP. The unique business identifier and the RMP identifier should also be included to assist in the traceability of documents.

Form 1: Operator, Business and RMP Identification

Information Required

Details

Business identifier.

e.g. ME81, PET123.

RMP no.

e.g. 01, 02.

Name of the operator.

Legal name of the business operator (i.e. the owner of the business).

Address of the operator.

Business address of the operator (e.g. postal address of head office).

Electronic address of the operator.

Email address and/or web site address.

Name of the business.

The registered company name, if different from the operator.

Physical address of the premises.

Location of the premises, if different from the operator’s address.

3.2 Management Authorities and Responsibilities

The operator must give the details of the person who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the RMP. It is recommended that a deputy be designated who can take over from the day-to-day manager when necessary.

Form 2: Management Authorities and Responsibilities

Authority/Responsibility

Details

Day-to-day manager.

Give name or, preferably, give position or designation.

Deputy for day-to-day manager.

Give name or, preferably, give position or designation.

3.3 Scope of the RMP

The operator must clearly define the coverage and application of the RMP.

Form 3: Scope of the RMP

Elements

Description/Details

Physical boundaries.

Physical boundaries indicated on site plan given in Appendix xx.

Attach an accurate site plan. Ensure that amenities and external areas that may be a source of hazards and other risk factors are considered when establishing the physical boundaries. The site plan should also show any areas within the boundaries that are excluded from the RMP.

Risk factors covered by the RMP.

Risk factors associated with:

Human health (for products intended for human consumption)

Animal health (for products intended for animal consumption)

Wholesomeness

False or misleading labelling.

Species.

Bovine.

Products. 1, 2

Carcasses

Boneless and bone-in cuts

Trimmings

Offal for human consumption (e.g. heart, liver, kidney, tongue)

Products for petfood (e.g. offal, trimmings)

Animal material for rendering (e.g. fat, trimmings, bone, blood, offal, dead stock)

Animal material for pharmaceutical use (e.g. glands, blood).

Process. 1

From receipt of live animals to loadout of carcasses and packed products.

Principal processing categories:

Slaughter and dressing

Boning/cutting

Refrigeration

Collection.

Exclusions.

Identify those materials, products or activities excluded from the RMP, and the alternative regulatory regime they are under. 3

1. The products and processes covered by this generic RMP are examples only based on a typical New Zealand beef processing operation. The operator must ensure that their RMP accurately reflects their own products and processes.

The hazard analysis shown in this generic RMP only covers the processing of carcasses, beef cuts, and red offal to provide examples of how hazard analysis can be done. The operator must ensure that their RMP includes a hazard analysis for all products or product groups, and processes covered by their RMP.

2. Products should be listed either individually or as product groups with similar characteristics, processes and intended purpose. The list should be as specific as necessary for proper identification of hazards and their controls, but at the same time should allow flexibility in terms of other products of the same group that can be processed without the need for a significant amendment.

3. If any animal material, animal product, or food which is processed within the physical boundaries of the RMP is excluded from the scope of the RMP, the operator must identify the material or product, the alternative regulatory regime that they are under (e.g. Food Act), and explain how the interfaces between regimes are managed. The operator must also document authorities and responsibilities, and the management of interfaces in relation to any activity undertaken by another person within the physical boundaries of the RMP.

3.4 Product Description

The operator must describe the animal products covered by the RMP, either individually; or as product groups with similar characteristics, processes and intended purpose. The product description must include the intended use and consumer, and any regulatory limit and/or operator-defined limit. Other information such as company specifications for packaging, labelling, and shelf life may be included.

No regulatory limit has been defined for raw meat products, including beef.

Form 4: Product Descriptions and Intended Purpose

Product Name

Product Description

Intended Use of Product Produced Under the RMP

Intended Consumer and Use by Consumer

Consumer

Use

Carcasses, cuts and trimmings for human consumption.

Passed ante- and post-mortem examination

Meets microbiological outcomes set under the NMD programme

Chilled or frozen as per regulatory and company specifications

Packed and labelled as per regulatory and company specification.

Further processing into manufactured products, retail products, food service items.

General public

Cooked

Offal for human consumption.

Passed post-mortem examination

Chilled or frozen as per regulatory and company specifications

Packed and labelled as per regulatory and company specifications.

Further processing into manufactured products, retail products, food service items.

General public

Cooked

Products for petfood
(e.g. offal, trimmings).

Passed as fit for animal consumption

Packed and labelled as per regulatory and company specifications.

Further processing into petfood.

Pets

Raw or cooked

Animal material for rendering
(e.g. fat, trimmings, bone, blood, offal, dead stock).

Labelled as per regulatory and company specifications.

Rendering.

Animals

Ingredient in petfood & animal feed.

Industrial use

Fertiliser

Animal material for pharmaceutical use for human consumption.

Obtained from animals that have passed ante and post-mortem examination as fit for human consumption

Labelled as per regulatory and company specifications.

Further processing into pharmaceutical products.

General public

Ingredient in pharmaceutical products.

Animal material for pharmaceutical use for animal consumption.

Passed as fit for animal consumption

Labelled as per regulatory and company specifications.

Further processing into pharmaceutical products.

Animals

Ingredient in pharmaceutical products (e.g. veterinary medicine).

3.5 Process Description

The process flow diagram(s) must accurately show the full extent of the process for all products covered by the RMP (i.e. up to loadout of each product or product group, including any rework or recycling steps). There is no prescribed format for the diagram but it should set out all steps sequentially, and show relevant inputs and outputs.

The examples given in this section are simplified presentations of the key steps based on a generic process. Only the main chain and processing of red offal for human consumption are shown as examples.

Form 5A:

Process flow diagram for slaughter, dressing, cooling and boning of cattle

1. Only those inputs that become part of the final product have been identified in this generic RMP. The operator may wish to include processing aids that come into contact with their product.

2. All outputs for human or animal consumption must be identified in the process flow.

Form 5B:

Process flow diagram for red offal for human consumption (cattle)

3.6 Good Operating Practice (Supporting Systems)

The operator must document Good Operating Practices (GOP) in relevant supporting systems (also known as prerequisite programmes, good hygienic practices) before applying HACCP principles to the process. These supporting systems must comply with all relevant regulatory requirements, particularly the Animal Product Regulations 2000 and the current versions of the Animal Products (Specifications for Products Intended for Human Consumption) Notice and the Animal Products (Specifications for Products Intended for Animal Consumption) Notice. Each documented supporting system should provide information on: authorities and responsibilities, procedures (including control, monitoring, corrective action and operator verification procedures), and requirements for record keeping.

Part 2 of the Meat Code of Practice provides guidance on supporting systems relevant to the scope of this generic RMP. Supporting systems must cover the activities and procedures listed below:

Design, construction and maintenance of buildings, facilities and equipment;

Potable water;

Sanitation and cleaning of processing areas, facilities and equipment;

Personnel hygiene;

Training of personnel;

Control of chemicals;

Pest control;

Waste management;

Repairs and maintenance of equipment;

Refrigeration management;

Food contact materials (specifications, handling and storage);

Reception of animals (e.g. presentation status, condition of stock, supplier declarations);

Ante- and post-mortem examination procedures (when these activities are done by the operator);

Hygienic processing procedures (e.g. hygienic techniques and procedures for dressing, cutting, boning, collection of animal material; cleaning and sterilisation of equipment, dropped meat);

Handling and disposition of detained and non-conforming products;

Calibration of equipment and measuring devices;

Sampling and testing procedures;

National Microbiological Database (NMD) procedures;

Product identification and traceability;

Inventory control;

Recall of products;

Document control (including procedures for amendments);

Verification and notifications procedures.

3.7 Hazard Analysis and CCP Determination

3.7.1 Identification of hazards from inputs

The operator must identify any hazards associated with each input considering any supplier agreements and raw material specifications.

Form 6: Hazard Identification

Inputs

Description/Specification 1

Biological Hazard (B)

Chemical Hazard (C)

Physical Hazard (P)

Live animal.

Complies with regulatory requirements for animals presented for slaughter.

Bacterial pathogens associated with faeces, ingesta and dirt from the gastro intestinal tract and the hide, e.g. Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni, E. coli O157:H7.

Bacterial pathogens associated with grossly-detectable abnormalities (i.e. fever, abscesses), e.g. Salmonella spp. for fever.

Parasites - e.g. Taenia saginata 2.

For cows - bacterial pathogens associated with contamination from mastitic milk, e.g. Staphylococcus aureus.

Chemical residues, e.g. veterinary medicines, environmental contaminants.

Shotgun pellets.

Water/ice/steam.

Potable water.

None

None

None

Branding ink.

Suitable for use as food contact material.

None

None

None

Carcass tickets.

Suitable for use as food contact material.

None

None

None

Packaging materials.

Suitable for use as food contact material.

None

None

None

1. Agreed specifications and procedures for inputs must be documented in a supporting system.

2. The carcass is inspected for T. saginata during post-mortem, but existing inspection methods have low sensitivity to low grade infection of cattle. In certain circumstances, T. saginata may still be present in the inspected and passed carcass. In these cases, a HACCP-based programme for further detection and removal of T. saginata may be applicable during boning. However, for the purposes of this generic model, and considering the rare occurrence of this hazard in beef, this hazard will not be considered any further in the hazard analysis.

Form 7A: Hazard Analysis and CCP Determination for Carcasses, Cuts and Trimmings

Process step

Inputs

Hazard reasonably likely to occur on or in the product at this step

Justification 1

Q1. Is there a control measure(s) for the hazard at this step?

If yes, identify the control measure and answer Q2 2.

Q2. Is the control measure at this step essential to food safety as defined by a regulatory limit or an operator-defined limit?

If yes, this step is a CCP 3.

If no, this step is not a CCP.

CCP no.

1. Receiving

Live animal

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Refer to Form 6.

No

   

C – Chemical residues

Refer to Form 6.

Controlled under the national residue programme. 4

Supplier declarations.

No

 

2. Washing

Live animal

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Micro carried over from previous step.

No

   

3. Holding in pens

Live animal

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Micro carried over from previous step.

No

   

4. Ante-mortem examination

Live animal

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Micro carried over from previous step.

Controlled under the ante-mortem examination system. 5

No

 

5. Pre-stun shower

Live animal

None

       

6. Stunning

Live animal

None

       

7. Washing of anal area/ shackling

Live animal

None

       

8. Sticking

Live animal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass from the hide can occur at this step.

Yes – correct sticking technique will minimise contamination.

No

 

9. Rodding and clipping weasand

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass with ingesta from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) can occur at this step.

Yes – correct rodding and clipping technique will minimise contamination.

No

 

10. Head removal

Carcass / head /

offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

11.Legging

Carcass / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass from the hide can occur at this step.

Yes – correct skinning technique will minimise contamination.

No

 

12. Ringing

Carcass / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass from the hide can occur at this step.

Yes – correct ringing technique will minimise contamination.

No

 

13. Hide removal

Carcass / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass from the hide can occur at this step.

Yes – correct hide removal techniques will minimise contamination.

No

 

14. Brisket cut

Carcass / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

15. Evisceration

Carcass / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination from the GIT can occur at this step.

Yes – hygienic techniques during freeing and dropping of the bung, and prevention of puncturing the GIT will minimise contamination.

No

 

16. Carcass splitting

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

17. Post-mortem / retain / re-examination

Carcass

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Controlled under the post-mortem examination system. 5

No

 

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Yes – identification and hygienic trimming will remove any visible faecal contamination and reduce micro contamination on affected parts of the carcass.

No

 

18. Trimming

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

19. Weighing & grading

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

20. Carcass wash

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

21. Cooling

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Growth of mesophiles can occur if there is cooling failure.

Yes – effective cooling will prevent the growth of mesophiles.

No

 

22. Quartering

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

23. Pre-trim

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

24. Cutting & boning

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Growth of mesophiles can occur if there is temperature control failure.

Yes – hygienic boning techniques will minimise contamination, and temperature control will prevent micro growth.

No

 

P – bone in boneless product

Bone can occur in boneless products.

Yes – correct boning techniques will minimise bone in boneless product.

No

 

25. Packing

Cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

26. Labelling & weighing

Packed cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

27. Metal detection

Packed cuts & trimmings

None 6

       

28. Blast chilling / freezing

Packed cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if there is refrigeration failure.

Yes – effective refrigeration will prevent micro growth.

No

 

29. Aging of chilled product

Packed cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if there is refrigeration failure.

Yes – effective refrigeration will prevent micro growth.

No

 

30. Storage

Packed cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if there is refrigeration failure.

Yes – effective refrigeration will prevent micro growth.

No

 

31. Loadout

Packed cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if product is temperature abused.

Yes – time/temperature control during loadout will prevent micro growth.

No

 

1. The justifications given are supported by scientific information provided in the Technical Annex to this Generic RMP.

2. The procedures for the control measures must be documented in the RMP.

3. A CCP is a step at which control can be applied and is essential to prevent or eliminate a food safety hazard or reduce it to an acceptable level. The control measure at the step must be essential to food safety as defined by a regulatory limit or an operator defined food safety limit (i.e. no CCP if there is no defined limit). A critical limit, which is measurable and can be monitored on an ongoing basis, must be established for the CCP. The justifications given are supported by scientific information provided in the Technical Annex to this Generic RMP.

4. The control of chemical residues involves effective farming practices and the monitoring of chemical residues under the National Residue Monitoring and Surveillance Programme. Sporadic chemical residues at some level will always occur, but results from the programme indicate that residue levels in cattle are generally in compliance with national requirements. Therefore, they have not been considered further at subsequent steps in this generic RMP.

5. Grossly detectable abnormalities are addressed during ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations, which are currently the responsibility of the regulator. Therefore, they will only be considered at the ante- and post-mortem steps in this generic RMP. However, if ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations are undertaken by the company (i.e. operator’s responsibility), then these steps must be considered during hazard analysis.

6. The operator should assess whether metal is a hazard that is reasonably likely to occur in their product. In some cases, the installation of a metal detector and its identification as a CCP is a client requirement. Any client or market access CCP must be clearly identified as such in the RMP.

Form 7B: Hazard Analysis and CCP Determination for Red Offal for Human Consumption

Process step

Inputs

Hazard reasonably likely to occur on or in the product at this step

Justification 1

Q1. Is there a control measure(s) for the hazard at this step?

If yes, identify the control measure and answer Q2 2.

Q2. Is the control measure at this step essential to food safety as defined by a regulatory limit or an operator-defined limit?

If yes, this step is a CCP 3.

If no, this step is not a CCP.

CCP no.

1. Post-mortem examination

Red offal

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Micro carried over from the evisceration step.

Controlled under the post-mortem examination system. 4

No

 

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the evisceration step.

Yes – post-mortem examination system will identify offals that are not acceptable for collection.

No

 

2. Cold water flume to offal room

Red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

3. Inspection and trimming of defects

Red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Yes – hygienic handling and trimming techniques will minimise contamination.

No

 

4. Holding in chiller, ice or cold water

Red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if the product is not chilled properly and promptly.

Yes – effective cooling will minimise micro growth.

No

 

Ice / cold water

None

       

5. Packing

Red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

Packaging material

None

       

Bins (cleaned/ sanitised)

None

       

Ice

None

       

6. Freezing / chilling

Packed red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if there is refrigeration failure.

Yes – effective refrigeration will prevent micro growth.

No

 

7. Storage

Packed red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if there is refrigeration failure.

Yes – effective refrigeration will prevent micro growth.

No

 

8. Load out

Packed red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if the product is temperature abused.

Yes – time/temperature control during loadout will prevent micro growth.

No

 

1. The justifications given are supported by scientific information provided in the Technical Annex to this Generic RMP.

2. The procedures for the control measures must be documented in the RMP.

3. A CCP is a step at which control can be applied and is essential to prevent or eliminate a food safety hazard or reduce it to an acceptable level. The control measure at the step must be essential to food safety as defined by a regulatory limit or an operator defined food safety limit (i.e. no CCP if there is no defined limit). A critical limit, which is measurable and can be monitored on an ongoing basis, must be established for the CCP. The justifications given are supported by scientific information provided in the Technical Annex to this Generic RMP.

4. Grossly detectable abnormalities are addressed during ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations, which are currently the responsibility of the regulator. Therefore, they will only be considered at the ante- and post-mortem steps in this generic RMP. However, if ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations are undertaken by the company (i.e. operator’s responsibility), then these steps must be considered during hazard analysis.

3.8 CCP Summary

A CCP was not identified for the slaughter and dressing of cattle, and the cooling and boning of beef and co-products. The control of hazards at key steps is expected to be adequately addressed by GOP.

[Note: If a CCP is identified for a particular product/process (e.g. when a control measure is essential for the achievement of an operator-defined limit), the operator must apply the other HACCP principles related to a CCP (i.e. the identification of critical limits, CCP monitoring and corrective action).]

3.9 Identification and Control of Risks to Wholesomeness

The RMP must identify the risk factors related to wholesomeness that are reasonably likely to occur for each animal product covered by the RMP. It must also identify the control measures for addressing the risk factors. The control measures must be documented, including procedures for monitoring, corrective action and verification, and records. Only examples for carcasses, cuts and trimmings; and red offal are shown in Form 8.

Form 8: Summary of Identified Risk Factors and Controls Related to Wholesomeness

Risk Factor

Source or Cause of Risk Factor

Control Measure

Carcasses, cuts and trimmings.

Spoilage.

Micro contamination of product during dressing and subsequent handling.

GOP – hygienic dressing, cutting and boning.

Micro growth due to improper time/temperature control.

GOP – time/temperature control, proper refrigeration.

Wholesomeness defects (e.g. blood clots, bruises, hair).

Improper handling of live animals and dressing of carcasses.

GOP – handling of stock, hygienic dressing, trimming.

Red offal for human consumption.

Spoilage.

Micro contamination of product during dressing and subsequent handling.

GOP – hygienic handling.

Micro growth due to improper time/temperature control.

GOP - time/temperature control, proper refrigeration.

Wholesomeness defects (e.g. hair).

Improper dressing techniques.

GOP – hygienic dressing.

3.10 Identification and Control of Risks from False or Misleading Labelling

The RMP must identify the risk factors related to false or misleading labelling that are reasonably likely to occur for each animal product. It must also identify the control measures for addressing the risk factors. The control measures must be documented, including procedures for monitoring, corrective action and verification, and records. An example is shown in Form 9.

Form 9: Summary of Identified Risk Factors and Controls Related to False or Misleading Labelling

Risk Factor

Source or Cause of risk Factor

Control Measure(s)

All products

Incorrect details on label or transportation outers, e.g.

species

claims (e.g. Halal, organic)

product description

lot id

storage directions.

Incorrect label design.

Procedures for ensuring correct label design.

Product put in wrong carton or pack.

Procedures for ensuring correct packaging of products.

3.11 Operator Verification

The operator must verify the effectiveness of their RMP against their documented procedures and any criteria defining the product’s fitness for intended purpose (e.g. regulatory limits, operator-defined limits, GOP requirements, critical limits). The verification procedures must be documented, including responsibilities, corrective action, frequencies, and records. The various verification activities may be summarised as shown in Form 10.

Form 10: Summary of Operator Verification Activities

Activity

Description

Supporting System

Review of monitoring and corrective action records.

All daily monitoring sheets checked to ensure that documented procedures are complied with, limits are adhered to, and appropriate corrective actions are taken.

xxx

Microbiological testing of carcasses and trimmings.

Microbiological testing as set out in the NMD programme.

xxx

Cusum inspection for defects.

Inspection of cuts for defects.

xxx

Internal audits.

Internal audit involving:

review of records

review of test results

reality checks.

xxx

Review of RMP including supporting systems.

Review of effectiveness of RMP.

Reassessment of RMP (e.g. hazards in light of new information and results to date, critical limits, process flow, inputs).

xxx

Other activities related to the verification of CCPs, regulatory limits, operator-defined limits, and supporting systems.

   

4 Generic RMP for Slaughter, Dressing, Cooling and Boning of Farmed Deer

Amendment 0

December 2008

4.1 Operator, Business and RMP Identification

The name and address of the business operator must be documented in the RMP. The unique business identifier and the RMP identifier should also be included to assist in the traceability of documents.

Form 1: Operator, Business and RMP identification

Information Required

Details

Business identifier.

e.g. ME81, PET123.

RMP no..

e.g. 01, 02.

Name of the operator.

Legal name of the business operator (i.e. the owner of the business).

Address of the operator.

Business address of the operator (e.g. postal address of head office).

Electronic address of the operator.

Email address and/or web site address.

Name of the business.

The registered company name, if different from the operator.

Physical address of the premises.

Location of the premises, if different from the operator’s address.

4.2 Management Authorities and Responsibilities

The operator must give the details of the person who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the RMP. It is recommended that a deputy be designated who can take over from the day-to-day manager when necessary.

Form 2: Management authorities and responsibilities

Authority/Responsibility

Details

Day-to-day manager.

Give name or, preferably, give position or designation.

Deputy for day-to-day manager .

Give name or, preferably, give position or designation.

4.3 Scope of the RMP

The operator must clearly define the coverage and application of the RMP.

Form 3: Scope of the RMP

Elements

Description/Details

Physical boundaries.

Physical boundaries indicated on site plan given in Appendix xx.

Attach an accurate site plan. Ensure that amenities and external areas that may be a source of hazards and other risk factors are considered when establishing the physical boundaries. The site plan should also show any areas within the boundaries that are excluded from the RMP.

Risk factors covered by the RMP.

Risk factors associated with:

Human health (for products intended for human consumption)

Animal health (for products intended for animal consumption)

Wholesomeness

False or misleading labelling.

Species.

Cervine.

Products. 1, 2

Carcasses

Boneless and bone-in cuts

Trimmings

Offal for human consumption (e.g. heart, liver, kidney, tongue)

Products for petfood (e.g. offal, trimmings)

Animal material for rendering (e.g. fat, trimmings, bone, blood, offal, dead stock)

Animal material for pharmaceutical use (e.g. glands, blood).

Process. 1

From receipt of live farmed deer to loadout of carcasses and packed products.

Principal processing categories:

Slaughter and dressing

Boning/cutting

Refrigeration

Collection.

Exclusions.

Identify those materials, products or activities excluded from the RMP, and the alternative regulatory regime they are under. 3

1. The products and processes covered by this generic RMP are examples only based on a typical New Zealand deer processing operation. The operator must ensure that their RMP accurately reflects their own products and processes.

The hazard analysis shown in this generic RMP only covers the processing of carcasses, venison cuts, and red offal to provide examples of how hazard analysis can be done. The operator must ensure that their RMP includes a hazard analysis for all products or product groups, and processes covered by their RMP.

2. Products should be listed either individually or as product groups with similar characteristics, processes and intended purpose. The list should be as specific as necessary for proper identification of hazards and their controls, but at the same time should allow flexibility in terms of other products of the same group that can be processed without the need for a significant amendment.

3. If any animal material, animal product, or food which is processed within the physical boundaries of the RMP is excluded from the scope of the RMP, the operator must identify the material or product, the alternative regulatory regime that they are under (e.g. Food Act), and explain how the interfaces between regimes are managed. The operator must also document authorities and responsibilities, and the management of interfaces in relation to any activity undertaken by another person within the physical boundaries of the RMP.

4.4 Product Description

The operator must describe the animal products covered by the RMP, either individually; or as product groups with similar characteristics, processes and intended purpose. The product description must include the intended use and consumer, and any regulatory limit and/or operator-defined limit relevant to the products’ fitness for intended purpose. Other information such as company specifications for packaging, labelling, and shelf life may also be included.

At present, no regulatory limit has been defined for raw meat products, including venison.

Form 4: Product descriptions and intended purpose

Product Name

Product Description

Intended Use of Product Produced Under the RMP

Intended Consumer and Use by Consumer

Consumer

Use

Carcasses, cuts and trimmings for human consumption.

Passed ante- and post-mortem examination

Meets microbiological outcomes set under the NMD programme

Chilled or frozen as per regulatory and company specifications

Packed and labelled as per regulatory and company specification.

Further processing into manufactured products, retail products, food service items.

General public

Cooked

Offal for human consumption.

Passed post-mortem examination

Chilled or frozen as per regulatory and company specifications

Packed and labelled as per regulatory and company specifications.

Further processing into manufactured products, retail products, food service items.

General public

Cooked

Products for petfood
(e.g. offal, trimmings).

Passed as fit for animal consumption

Packed and labelled as per regulatory and company specifications.

Further processing into petfood.

Pets

Raw or cooked

Animal material for rendering
(e.g. fat, trimmings, bone, blood, offal, dead stock).

Labelled as per regulatory and company specifications.

Rendering.

Animals

Ingredient in petfood & animal feed.

Industrial use

Fertiliser

Animal material for pharmaceutical use for human consumption.

Obtained from animals that have passed ante and post-mortem examination as fit for human consumption

Labelled as per regulatory and company specifications.

Further processing into pharmaceutical products.

General public

Ingredient in pharmaceutical products.

Animal material for pharmaceutical use for animal consumption.

Passed as fit for animal consumption

Labelled as per regulatory and company specifications.

Further processing into pharmaceutical products.

Animals

Ingredient in pharmaceutical products (e.g. veterinary medicine).

4.5 Process Description

The process flow diagram(s) must accurately show the full extent of the process for all products covered by the RMP (i.e. up to loadout of each product or product group, including any rework or recycling steps). There is no prescribed format for the diagram but it should set out all steps sequentially, and show relevant inputs and outputs.

The examples given in this section are simplified presentations of the key steps based on a generic process. Only the main chain and processing of red offal for human consumption are shown as examples.

Form 5A:

1. Only those inputs that become part of the final product have been identified in this generic RMP. The operator may wish to include processing aids that come into contact with their product.

2. All outputs for human or animal consumption must be identified in the process flow.

3. Two types of trimming are done during the dressing of venison carcasses. Defect trimming deals with the removal of visible defects such as faecal stains and hair. The other type of trimming is the standard carcass trim which relates to quality and market requirements.
Minor visible defects are generally trimmed off immediately after they occur. Any remaining visible contamination on the carcass (e.g. major faecal and ingesta contamination due to evisceration) is trimmed off at the retain rail. Location of the trimming steps varies according to customised practices at each premises.

Form 5B:

Process flow diagram for red offal for human consumption (farmed deer)

4.6 Good Operating Practice (Supporting Systems)

The operator must document Good Operating Practices (GOP) in relevant supporting systems (also known as prerequisite programmes, good hygienic practices) before applying HACCP principles to the process. These supporting systems must comply with all relevant regulatory requirements, particularly the Animal Product Regulations 2000 and the current versions of the Animal Products (Specifications for Products Intended for Human Consumption) Notice and the Animal Products (Specifications for Products Intended for Animal Consumption) Notice. Each documented supporting system should provide information on: authorities and responsibilities, procedures (including control, monitoring, corrective action and operator verification procedures), and requirements for record keeping.

Part 2 of the Meat Code of Practice provides guidance on supporting systems relevant to the scope of this generic RMP. Supporting systems must cover the activities and procedures listed below:

Design, construction and maintenance of buildings, facilities and equipment;

Potable water;

Sanitation and cleaning of processing areas, facilities and equipment;

Personnel hygiene;

Training of personnel;

Control of chemicals;

Pest control;

Waste management;

Repairs and maintenance of equipment;

Refrigeration management;

Food contact materials (specifications, handling and storage);

Reception of animals (e.g. presentation status, condition of stock, supplier declarations);

Ante- and post-mortem examination procedures (when these activities are done by the operator);

Hygienic processing procedures (e.g. hygienic techniques and procedures for dressing, cutting, boning, collection of animal material; cleaning and sterilisation of equipment, dropped meat);

Handling and disposition of detained and non-conforming products;

Calibration of equipment and measuring devices;

Sampling and testing procedures;

National Microbiological Database (NMD) procedures;

Product identification and traceability;

Inventory control;

Recall of products;

Document control (including procedures for amendments);

Verification and notifications procedures.

4.7 Hazard Analysis and CCP Determination

4.7.1 Identification of hazards from inputs

The operator must identify any hazards associated with each input considering any supplier agreements and raw material specifications.

Form 6: Hazard identification

Inputs

Description/Specification 1

Biological Hazard (B)

Chemical Hazard (C)

Physical Hazard (P)

Live animal.

Complies with regulatory requirements for animals presented for slaughter.

Bacterial pathogens associated with faeces, ingesta and dirt from the gastro intestinal tract and the hide, e.g. Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni, E. coli O157:H7.

Bacterial pathogens associated with grossly-detectable abnormalities (i.e. fever, abscesses), e.g. Salmonella spp. for fever.

Parasites - e.g. Toxoplasma gondii.

Chemical residues, e.g. veterinary medicines, environmental contaminants.

None

Water/ice/steam.

Potable water.

None

None

None

Branding ink.

Suitable for use as food contact material.

None

None

None

Carcass tickets.

Suitable for use as food contact material.

None

None

None

Packaging materials.

Suitable for use as food contact material.

None

None

None

1. Agreed specifications and procedures for inputs must be documented in the RMP.

Form 7A: Hazard analysis and CCP determination for carcasses, cuts and trimmings.

Process Step

Inputs

Hazard reasonably likely to occur on or in the product at this step

Justification 1

Q1. Is there a control measure(s) for the hazard at this step?

If yes, identify the control measure and answer Q2 2.

Q2. Is the control measure at this step essential to food safety as defined by a regulatory limit or an operator-defined limit?

If yes, this step is a CCP 3.

If no, this step is not a CCP.

CCP no.

1. Receiving

Live animal

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Refer to Form 6.

No

   

B - Parasites- e.g. Toxoplasma gondii

Refer to Form 6.

No 4

   

C – Chemical residues

Refer to Form 6.

Controlled under the national residue programme. 5

Supplier declarations.

No

 

2. Washing

Live animal

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Micro carried over from previous step.

No

   

3. Ante-mortem examination

Live animal

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Micro carried over from previous step.

Controlled under the ante-mortem examination system. 6

No

 

4. Stunning

Live animal

None

       

5. Electrical stimulation

Live animal

None

       

6. Sticking

Live animal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass from the hide and/or gastrointestinal tract (GIT) can occur at this step.

Yes – correct sticking technique will minimise contamination.

No

 

7. Rodding & clipping of weasand

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass with ingesta from the GIT can occur at this step.

Yes – correct rodding and clipping technique will minimise contamination.

No

 

8. Tail removal

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass from the hide can occur at this step.

Yes – correct tail removal technique will minimise contamination.

No

 

9. Legging

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass from the hide can occur at this step.

Yes – correct skinning technique will minimise contamination.

No

 

10. Ringing

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro and visible contamination of the anal and rump areas can occur due to sporadic faecal leakage at this step.

Yes – correct ringing technique will minimise contamination.

No

 

11. Hide removal

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass from the hide can occur at this step.

Yes – correct hide removal techniques will minimise contamination.

No

 

12. Neck trim & head removal

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried from the previous step.

Yes – trimming will remove contamination on the neck area.

No

 

13. Evisceration

Carcass / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination on the brisket and foreleg areas can occur due to sporadic faecal contamination from the GIT.

Yes – hygienic techniques during freeing and dropping of the bung, and prevention of puncturing the GIT will minimise contamination.

No

 

14. Post-mortem / retain / re-examination

Carcass

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Micro carried over from the evisceration step.

Controlled under the post-mortem examination system. 6

No

 

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Yes – identification and hygienic trimming will remove any visible faecal contamination and reduce micro contamination on affected parts of the carcass.

No

 

15. Grading / standard trimming

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

16. Cooling

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Growth of mesophiles can occur if there is cooling failure.

Yes – effective cooling will prevent the growth of mesophiles.

No

 

17. Pre-trim

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

18. Cutting & boning

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Growth of mesophiles can occur if there is temperature control failure.

Yes – hygienic boning techniques will minimise contamination, and temperature control will prevent micro growth.

No

 

P – bone in boneless product

Bone pieces can occur in boneless products.

Yes – correct boning techniques will minimise bone in boneless product.

No

 

19. Packing

Cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

20. Labelling & weighing

Packed cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

21. Metal detection

Packed cuts & trimmings

None 7

       

22. Blast chilling / freezing

Packed cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if there is refrigeration failure.

Yes – effective refrigeration will prevent micro growth.

No

 

B – Toxoplasma gondii

Refer to Form 6 and footnote 4.

Yes for frozen products – freezing to ≤ - 12°C will render tissue cysts of T. gondii nonviable.

No for chilled products.

No

 

23. Aging of chilled product

Packed cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if there is refrigeration failure.

Yes – effective refrigeration will prevent micro growth.

No

 

B – Toxoplasma gondii in chilled products

Hazard carried from previous step.

No

   

24. Storage

Packed cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if there is refrigeration failure.

Yes – effective refrigeration will prevent micro growth.

No

 

B – Toxoplasma gondii in chilled products

Hazard carried from previous step.

No

   

25. Loadout

Packed cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if temperature abuse occurs.

Yes – time/temperature control during loadout will prevent micro growth.

No

 

B – Toxoplasma gondii in chilled products

Hazard carried from previous step.

No

   

1. The justifications given are supported by scientific information provided in the Technical Annex to this Generic RMP.

2. The procedures for the control measures must be documented in the RMP.

3. A CCP is a step at which control can be applied and is essential to prevent or eliminate a food safety hazard or reduce it to an acceptable level. The control measure at the step must be essential to food safety as defined by a regulatory limit or an operator defined food safety limit (i.e. no CCP if there is no defined limit). A critical limit, which is measurable and can be monitored on an ongoing basis, must be established for the CCP. The justifications given are supported by scientific information provided in the Technical Annex to this Generic RMP.

4. Toxoplasma gondii cannot be adequately addressed by any control measure applied during the slaughter and dressing process, including post-mortem examination. However, freezing to ≤ - 12°C will render tissue cysts of T. gondii nonviable. To avoid repetition in the table, the hazard is not carried through each step. Instead T. gondii is considered at the freezing step 22, and is shown as a potential unaddressed hazard in chilled products from step 23 to loadout.

5. The control of chemical residues involves effective farming practices and the monitoring of chemical residues under the National Residue Monitoring and Surveillance Programme. Sporadic chemical residues at some level will always occur, but results from the programme indicate that residue levels in farmed deer are generally in compliance with national requirements. Therefore, they have not been considered further at subsequent steps in this generic RMP.

6. Grossly detectable abnormalities are addressed during ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations, which are currently the responsibility of the regulator . Therefore, they will only be considered at the ante- and post-mortem steps in this generic RMP. However, if ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations are undertaken by the company (i.e. operator’s responsibility), then these steps must be considered during hazard analysis.

7. The operator should assess whether metal is a hazard that is reasonably likely to occur in their product. In some cases, the use of a metal detector and its identification as a CCP is a client requirement. Any client or market access CCP must be clearly identified as such in the RMP.

Form 7B: Hazard Analysis and CCP Determination for Red Offal for Human Consumption

Process step

Inputs

Hazard reasonably likely to occur on or in the product at this step

Justification 1

Q1. Is there a control measure(s) for the hazard at this step?

If yes, identify the control measure and answer Q2 2.

Q2. Is this step a CCP?

Q2. Is the control measure at this step essential to food safety as defined by a regulatory limit or an operator-defined limit?

If yes, this step is a CCP 3.

If no, this step is not a CCP.

CCP no.

1. Post-mortem examination

Red offal

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Micro carried over from the evisceration step.

Controlled under the post-mortem examination system. 4

No

 

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the evisceration step.

Yes – post-mortem examination system will identify offals that are not acceptable for collection.

No

 

2. Conveying to offal room

Red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

3. Checking for, and trimming of, defects

Red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Yes – hygienic handling and trimming techniques will minimise contamination.

No

 

4. Holding in chiller / ice / cold water

Red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if the product is not chilled properly and promptly.

Yes – effective chilling will minimise micro growth.

No

 

Ice / cold water

None

       

5. Packing

Red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

Packaging material

None

       

Bins (cleaned/ sanitised)

None

       

Ice

None

       

6. Freezing / chilling

Packed red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if there is refrigeration failure.

Yes – effective refrigeration will prevent micro growth.

No

 

7. Storage

Packed red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if there is refrigeration failure.

Yes – effective refrigeration will prevent micro growth.

No

 

8. Load out

Packed red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if the product is temperature abused.

Yes – time / temperature control during loadout will prevent micro growth.

No

 

1. The justifications given are supported by scientific information provided in the Technical Annex to this Generic RMP.

2. The procedures for the control measures must be documented in the RMP.

3. A CCP is a step at which control can be applied and is essential to prevent or eliminate a food safety hazard or reduce it to an acceptable level. The control measure at the step must be essential to food safety as defined by a regulatory limit or an operator defined food safety limit (i.e. no CCP if there is no defined limit). A critical limit, which is measurable and can be monitored on an ongoing basis, must be established for the CCP. The justifications given are supported by scientific information provided in the Technical Annex to this Generic RMP.

4. Grossly detectable abnormalities are addressed during ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations, which are currently the responsibility of the regulator. Therefore, they will only be considered at the ante- and post-mortem steps in this generic RMP. However, if ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations are undertaken by the company (i.e. operator’s responsibility), then these steps must be considered during hazard analysis.

4.8 CCP Summary

A CCP was not identified for the slaughter and dressing of farmed deer, and the cooling and boning of venison and co-products. The control of hazards at key steps is expected to be adequately addressed by GOP.

[Note: If a CCP is identified for a particular product/process (e.g. when a control measure is essential for the achievement of an operator-defined limit), the operator must apply the other HACCP principles related to a CCP (i.e. the identification of critical limits, CCP monitoring and corrective action).]

4.9 Identification and Control of Risks to Wholesomeness

The RMP must identify the risk factors related to wholesomeness that are reasonably likely to occur for each animal product covered by the RMP. It must also identify the control measures for addressing the risk factors. The control measures must be documented, including procedures for monitoring, corrective action and verification, and records. Only examples for carcasses, cuts and trimmings; and red offal are shown in Form 8.

Form 8: Summary of identified risk factors and controls related to wholesomeness

Risk Factor

Source or Cause of Risk Factor

Control Measure

Carcasses, cuts and trimmings.

Spoilage.

Micro contamination of product during dressing and subsequent handling.

GOP - hygienic dressing, cutting and boning.

Micro growth due to improper time/temperature control.

GOP – time/temperature control, proper refrigeration.

Wholesomeness defects (e.g. blood clots, bruises, hair).

Improper handling of live animals and dressing of carcasses.

GOP – proper handling of stock, hygienic dressing, trimming.

Red offal for human consumption.

Spoilage.

Micro contamination of product during dressing and subsequent handling.

GOP – hygienic handling.

Micro growth due to improper time/temperature control.

GOP – time/temperature control, proper refrigeration.

Wholesomeness defects (e.g. hair).

Improper dressing techniques.

GOP – hygienic dressing.

4.10 Identification and Control of Risks from False or Misleading Labelling

Any information applied to the packaging must be correct and accurate. The RMP must identify the risk factors related to false or misleading labelling that are reasonably likely to occur for each animal product. It must also identify the control measures for addressing the risk factors. The control measures must be documented, including procedures for monitoring, corrective action and verification, and records. An example is shown in Form 9.

Form 9: Summary of identified risk factors and controls related to false or misleading labelling

Risk Factor

Source or Cause of Risk Factor

Control Measure(s)

All products.

Incorrect details on label or transportation outers, e.g.

species

claims (e.g. Halal, organic)

product description

lot id

storage directions.

Incorrect label design.

Procedures for ensuring correct label design.

Product put in wrong carton or pack.

Procedures for ensuring correct packaging of products.

4.11 Operator Verification

The operator must verify the effectiveness of their RMP against their documented procedures and any criteria defining the product’s fitness for intended purpose (e.g. regulatory limits, operator-defined limits, GOP requirements, critical limits). The verification procedures must be documented, including responsibilities, corrective action, frequencies, and records. The various verification activities may be summarised as shown in Form 10.

Form 10: Summary of operator verification activities.

Activity

Description

Supporting System

Review of monitoring and corrective action records.

All daily monitoring sheets checked to ensure that documented procedures are complied with, limits are adhered to, and appropriate corrective actions are taken.

xxx

Microbiological testing of carcasses and trimmings (NMD).

Microbiological testing as set out in the NMD programme.

xxx

Cusum inspection for defects.

Inspection of cuts for defects.

xxx

Internal audits.

Internal audit involving:

review of records

review of test results

reality checks.

xxx

Review of RMP including supporting systems.

Review of effectiveness of RMP.

Reassessment of RMP (e.g. hazards in light of new information and results to date, critical limits, process flow, inputs).

xxx

Other activities related to the verification of CCPs, regulatory limits, operator-defined limits, and supporting systems.

   

5 Generic RMP for Slaughter, Dressing, Cooling and Boning of Sheep 1

Amendment 0

December 2008

5.1 Operator, Business and RMP Identification

The name and address of the business operator must be documented in the RMP. The unique business identifier and the RMP identifier should also be included in this section of the RMP to assist in the traceability of documents.

Form 1: Operator, Business and RMP Identification

Information Required

Details

Business identifier.

e.g. ME81, PET123.

RMP no.

e.g. 01, 02.

Name of the operator.

Legal name of the business operator (i.e. the owner of the business).

Address of the operator.

Business address of the operator (e.g. postal address of head office).

Electronic address of the operator.

May be an email address and/or web site address.

Name of the business.

The registered company name, if different from the operator.

Physical address of the premises.

Location of the premises, if different from the operator’s address.

5.2 Management Authorities and Responsibilities

The operator must document details of the person who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the RMP. It is recommended that a deputy be designated who can take over from the day-to-day manager when necessary.

Form 2: Management Authorities and Responsibilities

Authority/Responsibility

Details

Day-to-day manager.

Give name or, preferably, give position or designation.

Deputy for day-to-day manager.

Give name or, preferably, give position or designation.

5.3 Scope of the RMP

The operator must clearly define the coverage and application of the RMP.

Form 3: Scope of the RMP

Elements

Description/Details

Physical boundaries.

Physical boundaries indicated on site plan given in Appendix xx.

Attach an accurate site plan. Ensure that amenities and external areas that may be a source of hazards and other risk factors are considered when establishing the physical boundaries. The site plan should also show any areas within the boundaries that are excluded from the RMP.

Risk factors covered by the RMP.

Risk factors associated with:

Human health (for products intended for human consumption)

Animal health (for products intended for animal consumption)

Wholesomeness

False or misleading labelling.

Species

Ovine

Products. 1, 2

Carcasses

Boneless and bone-in cuts

Trimmings

Offal for human consumption (green and red offal)

Green runners

Products for petfood (e.g. offal, trimmings)

Animal material for rendering (e.g. fat, trimmings, bone, blood, offal, dead stock)

Animal material for pharmaceutical use (e.g. glands).

Process. 1

From receipt of the live animals to loadout of carcasses and packed products.

Principal processing categories:

Slaughter and dressing

Boning/cutting

Refrigeration.

Exclusions.

Identify those materials, products or activities excluded from the RMP, and the alternative regulatory regime they are under. 3

1. The products and processes covered by this generic RMP are examples only based on a typical New Zealand sheep processing operation. The operator must ensure that their RMP accurately reflects their own products and processes.
The hazard analysis shown in this generic RMP only covers the processing of carcasses, meat cuts, and red offal to provide examples of how hazard analysis can be done. The operator must ensure that their RMP includes a hazard analysis for all products or product groups, and processes covered by their RMP.

2. Products should be listed either individually or as product groups with similar characteristics, processes and intended purpose. The list should be as specific as necessary for proper identification of hazards and their controls, but at the same time should allow flexibility in terms of other products of the same group that can be processed without the need for a significant amendment.

3. If any animal material, animal product, or food which is processed within the physical boundaries of the RMP is excluded from the scope of the RMP, the operator must identify the material or product, the alternative regulatory regime that they are under (e.g. Food Act), and explain how the interfaces between regimes are managed. The operator must also document authorities and responsibilities, and the management of interfaces in relation to any activity undertaken by another person within the physical boundaries of the RMP.

5.4 Product Description

The operator must describe the animal products covered by the RMP, either individually; or as product groups with similar characteristics, processes and intended purpose. The product description must include the intended use and consumer, and any regulatory limit and/or operator-defined limit. Other information such as company specifications for packaging, labelling, and shelf life may also be included.

At present, no regulatory limit has been defined for raw meat products.

Form 4: Product Descriptions and Intended Purpose

Product Name

Product Description

Intended Use of Product Produced Under the RMP

Intended Consumer and Use by Consumer

Consumer

Use

Carcasses, cuts and trimmings for human consumption.

Passed ante- and post-mortem examination

Meets microbiological outcomes set under the NMD programme

Chilled or frozen as per regulatory and company specifications.

Packed and labelled as per regulatory and company specification.

Further processing into manufactured products, retail products, food service items.

General public

Cooked

Offal for human consumption.

Passed post-mortem examination

Chilled or frozen as per company specification.

Packed and labelled as per regulatory and company specification.

Further processing into manufactured products, retail products, food service items.

General public

Cooked

Green runners for human consumption.

Obtained from animals that have passed ante- and post-mortem examination

Packed in casks with metabisulphite.

Further processing into casings.

General public

Cooked (i.e. as sausage casings).

Products for petfood

(e.g. offal, trimmings).

Passed as fit for animal consumption

Packed and labelled as per regulatory and company specification.

Further processing into petfood.

Pets

Raw or cooked

Animal material for rendering

(e.g. fat, trimmings, bone, blood, offal, dead stock).

Labelled as per regulatory and company specifications.

Rendering.

Animals

Ingredient in petfood & animal feed.

Industrial use

Fertiliser

Animal material for pharmaceutical use for human consumption.

Obtained from animals that have passed ante and post-mortem examination as fit for human consumption

Labelled as per regulatory and company specifications.

Further processing into pharmaceutical products.

General public

Ingredient in pharmaceutical products.

Animal material for pharmaceutical use for animal consumption.

Passed as fit for animal consumption

Labelled as per regulatory and company specifications.

Further processing into pharmaceutical products.

Animals

Ingredient in pharmaceutical products (e.g. veterinary medicine).

5.5 Process Description

The process flow diagram(s) must accurately show the full extent of the process for all products covered by the RMP (i.e. up to loadout of each product or product group, including any rework or recycling steps). There is no prescribed format for the diagram but it should set out all steps sequentially, and show relevant inputs and outputs.

The examples given in this section are simplified presentations of the key steps based on a generic process. Only the main chain and processing of red offal and green runners for human consumption are shown as examples.

Form 5A:

1. Only those inputs that become part of the final product have been identified in this generic RMP. The operator may wish to include processing aids that come into contact with their product.

2. All outputs for human or animal consumption must be identified in the process flow.

Form 5B:

Process flow diagram for red offal for human consumption (sheep)

Form 5C:

Process flow diagram for preparation of green runners

5.6 Good Operating Practice (Supporting Systems)

The operator must document Good Operating Practices (GOP) in relevant supporting systems (also known as prerequisite programmes, good hygienic practices) before applying HACCP principles to the process. These supporting systems must comply with all relevant regulatory requirements, particularly the Animal Product Regulations 2000 and the current versions of the Animal Products (Specifications for Products Intended for Human Consumption) Notice, and the Animal Products (Specifications for Products Intended for Animal Consumption) Notice. Each documented supporting systems should provide information on: authorities and responsibilities, procedures (including control, monitoring, corrective action and operator verification), and requirements for recording requirements.

Part 2 of the Meat Code of Practice provides guidance on supporting systems relevant to the scope of this generic RMP. Supporting systems must cover the activities and procedures listed below:

Design, construction and maintenance of buildings, facilities and equipment;

Potable water;

Sanitation and cleaning of processing areas, facilities and equipment;

Personnel hygiene;

Training of personnel;

Control of chemicals;

Pest control;

Waste management;

Repairs and maintenance of equipment;

Refrigeration management;

Food contact materials (specifications, handling and storage);

Reception of animals (e.g. presentation status, condition of stock, supplier declarations);

Ante- and post-mortem examination procedures (when these activities are done by the operator);

Hygienic processing procedures (e.g. hygienic techniques and procedures for dressing, cutting, boning, collection of animal material; cleaning and sterilisation of equipment, dropped meat);

Handling and disposition of detained and non-conforming products;

Calibration of equipment and measuring devices;

Sampling and testing procedures;

National Microbiological Database (NMD) procedures;

Product identification and traceability;

Inventory control;

Recall of products;

Document control (including procedures for amendments);

Verification and notifications procedures.

5.7 Hazard Analysis and CCP Determination

5.7.1 Identification of Hazards from Inputs

The operator must identify any hazards associated with each input considering any supplier agreements and raw material specifications.

Form 6: Hazard Identification

Inputs

Description/Specification 1

Biological Hazard (B)

Chemical Hazard (C)

Physical Hazard (P)

Live animal.

Complies with regulatory requirements for animals presented for slaughter.

Bacterial pathogens associated with faeces, ingesta and dirt from the gastro intestinal tract and the fleece/pelt, e.g. Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium spp.

Bacterial pathogens associated with grossly-detectable abnormalities (i.e. fever, abscesses), e.g. Salmonella spp. for fever.

Toxoplasma gondii in the musculature.

Chemical residues , e.g. veterinary medicines, heavy metals.

None

Water/ice.

Potable water.

None

None

None

Branding ink.

Suitable for use as food contact material.

None

None

None

Carcass tickets.

Suitable for use as food contact material.

None

None

None

Packaging materials.

Suitable for use as food contact material.

None

None

None

Metabisulphite (for casings).

Food grade.

None

None

None

1. Agreed specifications and procedures for inputs must be documented in the RMP.

Form 7A: Hazard Analysis and CCP Determination for Carcasses, Cuts and Trimmings

Process step

Inputs

Hazard reasonably likely to occur on or in the product at this step

Justification 1

Q1. Is there a control measure(s) for the hazard at this step?

If yes, identify the control measure and answer Q2 2.

Q2. Is the control measure at this step essential to food safety as defined by a regulatory limit or an operator-defined limit?

If yes, this step is a CCP 3.

If no, this step is not a CCP.

CCP no.

1. Receiving

Live animal

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Refer to Form 6.

No

   

B – Toxoplasma gondii

Refer to Form 6

No 4

   

C – Chemical residues

Refer to Form 6.

Controlled under the national residue programme. 5

Supplier declarations.

No

 

2. Washing

Live animal

B – Bacterial pathogens – grossly-detectable abnormalities

Micro carried over from previous step.

No

   

3. Holding in pens

Live animal

B – Bacterial pathogens – grossly-detectable abnormalities

Micro carried over from previous step.

No

   

4. Ante-mortem examination

Live animal

B – Bacterial pathogens – grossly-detectable abnormalities

Micro carried over from previous step.

Controlled under the ante-mortem examination system. 6

No

 

5. Stunning

Live animal

None

       

6. Sticking

Live animal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass from the fleece/pelt is likely to occur during sticking.

Yes – correct sticking technique will minimise contamination.

No

 

7. Forequarter workup

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass from the fleece/pelt is likely to occur when making the opening cuts and during flaying.

Yes – correct flaying techniques and prevention of rollback will minimise contamination.

No

 

8. Hindquarter workup

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass from the fleece/pelt is likely to occur when making the opening cuts and during flaying.

Yes – correct flaying techniques and prevention of rollback will minimise contamination.

No

 

9. Ripdown

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass from the fleece/pelt is likely to occur at this step.

Yes – correct ripdown techniques and prevention of rollback will minimise contamination.

No

 

10. Pelt removal

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination of the carcass from the fleece/pelt is likely to occur at this step.

Yes – correct pelting techniques will minimise contamination.

No

 

11. Fore trotter removal

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

12. Trimming

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Yes – hygienic trimming will remove any visible faecal contamination and reduce micro contamination on the carcass.

No

 

13. Pre-evisceration wash

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from previous step.

No

   

14. Head removal

Carcass / head / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

15. Evisceration

Carcass / offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro contamination from the GIT can occur at this step.

Yes – hygienic techniques during freeing and dropping of the bung and prevention of puncturing the GIT will minimise contamination.

No

 

16. Post-mortem / retain / re-examination

Carcass

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Micro carried over from the evisceration step.

Controlled under the post-mortem examination system. 6

No

 

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Yes – hygienic trimming will remove any visible faecal contamination and reduce micro contamination on affected parts of the carcass.

No

 

17. Grading

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

18. Carcass wash

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

19. Electrical stimulation

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

20. Cooling

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Growth of mesophiles can occur if there is cooling failure.

Yes – effective cooling will prevent the growth of mesophiles.

No

 

21. Pre-trim

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

22. Cutting & boning

Carcass

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Growth of mesophiles can occur if there is temperature control failure.

Yes – hygienic boning techniques will minimise contamination, and temperature control will prevent micro growth.

No

 

P – bone in boneless product

Bone pieces can occur in boneless products.

Yes – correct boning techniques will minimise bone in boneless product.

No

 

23. Packing

Cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

24. Labelling & weighing

Packed cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

25. Metal detection

Packed cuts & trimmings

None 7

       

26. Blast chilling / freezing

Packed cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if there is refrigeration failure.

Yes – effective refrigeration will prevent micro growth.

No

 

B- Toxoplasma gondii

Refer to Form 6 and footnote 4.

Yes for frozen products – freezing to ≤ -12°C will render tissue cysts of T. gondii nonviable.

No for chilled products.

No

 

27. Aging of chilled meat

Packed chilled cuts

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if there is refrigeration failure.

Yes – effective refrigeration will prevent micro growth.

No

 

28. Storage

Packed cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if refrigeration failure occurs.

Yes – effective refrigeration will prevent micro growth.

No

 

B – Toxoplasma gondii in chilled products

Hazard carried over from previous step.

No

   

29. Loadout

Packed cuts & trimmings

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if temp abuse occurs.

Yes – time/temperature control during loadout will prevent micro growth.

No

 

B – Toxoplasma gondii in chilled products

Hazard carried over from previous step.

No

   

1. The justifications given are supported by scientific information provided in the Technical Annex to this Generic RMP.

2. The procedures for the control measures must be documented in the RMP.

3. A CCP is a step at which control can be applied and is essential to prevent or eliminate a food safety hazard or reduce it to an acceptable level. The control measure at the step must be essential to food safety as defined by a regulatory limit or an operator defined food safety limit (i.e. no CCP if there is no defined limit). A critical limit, which is measurable and can be monitored on an ongoing basis, must be established for the CCP. The justifications given are supported by scientific information provided in the Technical Annex to this Generic RMP.

4. Toxoplasma gondii cannot be adequately addressed by any control measure applied during the slaughter and dressing process, including post-mortem examination. However, freezing to ≤ - 12°C will render tissue cysts of T. gondii nonviable. To avoid repetition in the table, the hazard is not carried through each step. Instead T. gondii is considered at the freezing step 26, and is shown as a potential unaddressed hazard in chilled products from step 26 to loadout.

5. The control of chemical residues involves effective farming practices and the monitoring of chemical residues under the National Residue Monitoring and Surveillance Programme. Sporadic chemical residues at some level will always occur, but results from the programme indicate that residue levels in sheep are generally in compliance with national requirements. Therefore, they have not been considered further at subsequent steps in this generic RMP.

6. Grossly detectable abnormalities are addressed during ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations, which are currently the responsibility of the regulator. Therefore, they will only be considered at the ante- and post-mortem steps in this generic RMP. However, if ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations are undertaken by the company (i.e. operator’s responsibility), then these steps must be considered during hazard analysis.

7. The operator should assess whether metal is a hazard that is reasonably likely to occur in their product. In some cases, the use of a metal detector and its identification as a CCP is a client requirement. Any client or market access CCP must be clearly identified as such in the RMP.

Form 7B: Hazard Analysis and CCP Determination for Red Offal for Human Consumption

Process step

Inputs

Hazard reasonably likely to occur on or in the product at this step

Justification 1

Q1. Is there a control measure(s) for the hazard at this step?

If yes, identify the control measure and answer Q2 2.

Q2. Is the control measure at this step essential to food safety as defined by a regulatory limit or an operator-defined limit?

If yes, this step is a CCP 3.

If no, this step is not a CCP.

CCP no.

1. Post-mortem examination

Red offal

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Micro carried over from the evisceration step.

Controlled under the post-mortem examination system. 4

No

 

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the evisceration step.

Yes – post-mortem examination system will identify offals that are not acceptable for collection.

No

 

2. Conveying to offal room

Red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

3. Checking for, and trimming of, defects

Red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Yes – hygienic handling and trimming techniques will minimise contamination.

No

 

4. Holding in chiller / ice / cold water

Red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if the product is not chilled properly and promptly.

Yes – effective chilling will minimise micro growth.

No

 

Ice / cold water

None

       

5. Packing

Red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

Packaging material

None

       

Bins (cleaned/ sanitised)

None

       

6. Chilling / freezing

Packed red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if there is refrigeration failure.

Yes – proper temperature control will minimise micro growth.

No

 

Ice

None

       

7. Storage

Packed red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if there is refrigeration failure.

Yes –effective refrigeration will prevent micro growth.

No

 

8. Load out

Packed red offal

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Micro growth can occur if the product is temperature abused.

Yes – time/temperature control during loadout will prevent micro growth.

No

 

1. The justifications given are supported by scientific information provided in the Technical Annex to this Generic RMP.

2. The procedures for the control measures must be documented in the RMP.

3. A CCP is a step at which control can be applied and is essential to prevent or eliminate a food safety hazard or reduce it to an acceptable level. The control measure at the step must be essential to food safety as defined by a regulatory limit or an operator defined food safety limit (i.e. no CCP if there is no defined limit). A critical limit, which is measurable and can be monitored on an ongoing basis, must be established for the CCP. The justifications given are supported by scientific information provided in the Technical Annex to this Generic RMP.

4. Grossly detectable abnormalities are addressed during ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations, which are currently the responsibility of the regulator. Therefore, they will only be considered at the ante- and post-mortem steps in this generic RMP. However, if ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations are undertaken by the company (i.e. operator’s responsibility), then these steps must be considered during hazard analysis.

Form 7C: Hazard Analysis and CCP Determination for Green Runners

Process step

Inputs

Hazard reasonably likely to occur on or in the product at this step

Justification 1

Q1. Is there a control measure(s) for the hazard at this step?

If yes, identify the control measure and answer Q2 2.

Q2. Is the control measure at this step essential to food safety as defined by a regulatory limit or an operator-defined limit?

If yes, this step is a CCP 3.

If no, this step is not a CCP.

CCP no.

1. Post-mortem examination

Gut sets

B – Bacterial pathogens - grossly-detectable abnormalities

Micro carried over from the evisceration step.

Controlled under the post-mortem examination system. 4

No

 

B – enteric pathogens

Gut sets are likely to be contaminated with enteric pathogens.

No

   

2. Receiving gut sets from slaughter floor

Gut sets

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

3. Pulling of intestines

Gut sets

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

4. Removal of contents

Intestines

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Yes –proper removal of intestinal contents will reduce the micro load.

No

 

5. Packing in casks

Green runners

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

Yes –use of metabisulphite will minimise micro growth.

No

 

Water

None

       

Metabisulphite

None

       

6. Dispatch

Green runners

B – enteric pathogens

Micro carried over from the previous step.

No

   

1. The justifications given are supported by scientific information provided in the Technical Annex to this Generic RMP.

2. The procedures for the control measures must be documented in the RMP.

3. A CCP is a step at which control can be applied and is essential to prevent or eliminate a food safety hazard or reduce it to an acceptable level. The control measure at the step must be essential to food safety as defined by a regulatory limit or an operator defined food safety limit (i.e. no CCP if there is no defined limit). A critical limit, which is measurable and can be monitored on an ongoing basis, must be established for the CCP. The justifications given are supported by scientific information provided in the Technical Annex to this Generic RMP.

4. Grossly detectable abnormalities are addressed during ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations, which are currently the responsibility of the regulator. Therefore, they will only be considered at the ante- and post-mortem steps in this generic RMP. However, if ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations are undertaken by the company (i.e. operator’s responsibility), then these steps must be considered during hazard analysis.

5.8 CCP Summary

A CCP was not identified for the slaughter and dressing of sheep, and the cooling and boning of sheep meat and co-products. The control of hazards at key steps is expected to be adequately addressed by GOP.

[Note: If a CCP is identified for a particular product/process (e.g. when a control measure is essential for the achievement of an operator-defined limit), the operator must apply the other HACCP principles related to a CCP (i.e. the identification of critical limits, CCP monitoring and corrective action).]

5.9 Identification and Control of Risks to Wholesomeness

The RMP must identify the risk factors related to wholesomeness that are reasonably likely to occur for each animal product covered by the RMP. It must also identify the control measures for addressing the risk factors. The control measures must be documented, including procedures for monitoring, corrective action and verification, and records. Only examples for carcasses, cuts and trimmings; red offal; and green runners are shown in Form 8.

Form 8: Summary of Identified Risk Factors and Controls Related to Wholesomeness

Risk Factor

Source or Cause of risk Factor

Control Measure

Carcasses, cuts and trimmings.

Spoilage.

Micro contamination of product during dressing and subsequent handling.

GOP – hygienic dressing, cutting and boning.

Micro growth due to improper time/temperature control.

GOP – time/temperature control, proper refrigeration.

Wholesomeness defects (e.g. blood clots, bruises, hair).

Improper handling of live animals and dressing of carcasses.

GOP – handling of stock, hygienic dressing, trimming.

Red offal for human consumption.

Spoilage.

Micro contamination of product during dressing and subsequent handling.

GOP – hygienic dressing, cutting and boning.

Micro growth due to improper time/temperature control.

GOP – time/temperature control, proper refrigeration.

Wholesomeness defects (e.g. hair).

Improper dressing techniques.

GOP - hygienic dressing.

Green runners.

Spoilage.

Micro growth due to improper time/temperature control.

GOP – time/temperature control, use of metabisulphite.

5.10 Identification and Control of Risks from False or Misleading Labelling

Any information applied to the packaging must be correct and accurate. The RMP must identify the risk factors related to false or misleading labelling that are reasonably likely to occur for each animal product. It must also identify the control measures for addressing the risk factors. The control measures must be documented, including procedures for monitoring, corrective action and verification, and records. Only examples for carcasses, cuts and trimmings; red offal; and green runners are shown in Form 9.

Form 9: Summary of Identified Risk Factors and Controls Related to False or Misleading Labelling

Risk Factor

Source or Cause of Risk Factor

Control Measure(s)

All products.

Incorrect details on label or transportation outers, e.g.

species

claims (e.g. Halal, organic)

product description

lot id

storage directions.

Incorrect label design.

Procedures for ensuring correct label design.

Wrong label put on carton or pack.

Procedures for ensuring correct packaging of products.

5.11 Operator Verification

The operator must verify the effectiveness of their RMP against their documented procedures and any criteria defining the product’s fitness for intended purpose (e.g. regulatory limit, operator-defined limits, GMP requirements, and critical limits). The verification procedures must be documented, including responsibilities, corrective action, frequencies, and records. The various verification activities may be summarised as shown in Form 10.

Form 10: Summary of Operator Verification Activities

Activity

Description

Supporting System

Review of monitoring and corrective action records.

All daily monitoring sheets checked to ensure that documented procedures are complied with, limits are adhered to, and appropriate corrective actions are taken.

xxx

Microbiological testing of carcasses and trimmings (NMD).

Microbiological testing as set out in the NMD programme.

xxx

Cusum inspection for defects.

Inspection of cuts for defects.

xxx

Internal audits.

Internal audit involving:

review of records

review of test results

reality checks.

xxx

Review of RMP including supporting systems.

Review of effectiveness of RMP.

Re-assessment of RMP (e.g. identification of new hazards; changes in critical limits, process steps and procedures, inputs).

xxx

Other activities related to the verification of CCPs, regulatory limits, operator-defined limits, and supporting systems.

   

1 The process and product description for goats is considered to be equivalent to that for sheep. As a result this Generic RMP Model can be used when developing an RMP for the processing of goats. Any specific differences that operators may need to consider during this development will be outlined in the Technical Annex.

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