AQIS Post-mortem Verification - Sampling Plans

7.1 Inspection procedures

Procedure 1 Frequency Sample size for 2 inspection positions

Carcases

Per shift

2.5% of kill for first 2000 and 1% of remainder

Viscera

Per shift

2.5% of kill for first 2000 and 1% of remainder

Heads

Per shift

2.5% of kill for first 2000 and 1% of remainder; or nil*

Retained product ¥

1 Procedures may be able to be observed from one point on smaller slaughter floors.

* Nil where heads of small stock are not retained for human consumption ¥ These procedures will be assessed as part of the AQIS MHA independent process examination

a) Results are expressed as the number of inadequate carcase/offal/head part inspection procedures divided by the total number of carcase/offal/head sets inspected expressed as a percentage. One or more failed procedures on a carcase or its correlated parts means that there is one failure and is recorded as “1” failure.

7.2 Inspected product

Product type 3 Frequency Sample size for 2 inspection positions

Carcases ¥

Per shift

2.5% of kill for first 2000 and 1% of remainder

Viscera ^

Per shift

2.5% of kill for first 2000 and 1% of remainder

Heads §

Per shift

2.5% of kill for first 2000 and 1% of remainder; or nil*

Retained product †

Retained product with significant or unusual pathology

As necessary

All

3 Some of this sampling may be able to be conducted at the same time as product hygiene and CCP

verifications.

* Nil where heads of small stock are not retained for human consumption. ^ A sample unit as a minimum must include hearts, kidneys, liver and lungs from one animal. § A sample unit as a minimum must include tongues and cheeks from one animal. † These will be sampled as part of carcase and carcase part verification

Results are expressed as the number of defects detected per product type divided by the relevant number of sampled carcases, or offal sets (offal set is all offal represented by one carcase), which is then expressed as a percentage. If the total number of sampled carcases or offal sets is less than 20 on a single day then successive days samples for both defects and total sample size must be added together so that the total sample size is equal to or greater than 20.

1. Attachment 2a: Performance Standards for Bovine

Table 1: Post-mortem inspection for product

Defects found in product as a result of inadequate post mortem inspection procedure can be divided into three categories. A tolerance (or standard) is set for each category of defect depending on the food safety risk that it presents.

Category Standard

Food safety Pathology

Post-mortem – Potentially infectious conditions e.g. septicaemia/toxaemia, pyaemia, viable Cysticercus bovis lesions

0 allowed

Other Pathology

Post-mortem – Carcase pathology e.g. anaemia, arthritis, emaciation, fractures, icterus, localised abscess, mastitis, metritis, nephritis, oedema, pyelonephritis, parasites including non-viable cysticercus lesions, neoplasms, pericarditis, pleuritis, pneumonia, uraemia

<6%

Post-mortem – Offal pathology (for set parameters refer to para 7.1 a) ) e.g. cystic kidneys, enteritis/gastritis, icterus, nephritis, pyelonephritis, parasites including non-viable cysticercus lesions, peritonitis

<6%

Inspection procedures

Masseter muscles, heart, bile ducts that have been incorrectly incised; non-enucleated kidneys

<5%

Table 2: Post-mortem inspection procedures

Category Standard

Critical procedure defect (see definition in OPMS SOP 3.03)

0 allowed

Non Critical procedure defect e.g. incorrect incision; incorrectly palpated organ or tissue; non sanitary process

<5%

Table 3: Moving window for non-food safety conditions and non critical inspection procedure defect(s)

Category Maximum number of days above maximum

defect levels for non food safety and inspection

procedures for an individual meat safety

inspector in any 25 day period

Post-mortem – Carcase pathology – non food safety 3

Post-mortem – Offal pathology – non food safety 3

Inspection procedures 3

2. Attachment 2b: Performance standards for Ovine and Caprine

Table 1: Post-mortem inspection for product

Defects found in product as a result of inadequate post mortem inspection procedure can be divided into three categories. A tolerance (or standard) is set for each category of defect depending on the food safety risk that it presents.

Category Standard

Food safety Pathology

Post-mortem – Potentially infectious conditions e.g. septicaemia/toxaemia, pyaemia.

0 allowed

Other Pathology

Post-mortem – Carcase pathology e.g. anaemia, arthritis, emaciation, fractures, icterus, localised abscess, mastitis, metritis, nephritis, oedema, pyelonephritis, parasites including cysticercus lesions, neoplasms, pericarditis, pleuritis, pneumonia, uraemia

<6%

Post-mortem – Offal pathology e.g. cystic kidneys, enteritis/gastritis, icterus, nephritis, pyelonephritis, parasites including non-viable cysticercus lesions, peritonitis

<6%

Inspection procedures

Liver that has been incorrectly incised, or palpated; non-enucleated kidneys

<5%

Table 2: Post-mortem inspection procedures

Category Standard

Critical procedure defect (see definition in OPMS SOP 3.03)

0 allowed

Non Critical procedure defect e.g. incorrect incision; incorrectly palpated organ or tissue; non sanitary process

<5%

Table 3: Moving Window for non-food safety conditions and non critical inspection procedure defect(s)

Category Maximum number of days above maximum defect

levels for non food safety and inspection procedures

for an individual meat safety inspector in any 25

day period

Post-mortem – Carcase pathology – non food safety 2

Post-mortem – Offal pathology – non food safety 4

Inspection procedures 3