Check the application of specified risk material procedures in meat or poultry processing

URN: IMPMP311
Business Sectors (Suites): Production and Control Operations in Food Manufacture
Developed by: Improve
Approved on: 2025

Overview

This standard is about the skills and knowledge needed for you to check the application of specified risk material procedures in meat or poultry processing. Checking the application of specified risk material in meat or poultry processing is important to the production of a final product that meets organisational and regulatory requirements.
 
This standard applies to the activities involved with the implementation of the current procedures for dealing with specified risk material.

Classify the relevant live meat or poultry species and their carcasses according to the regulations
Ascertain the age of specified meat and poultry species by checking their dentition
Correlate carcasses with accompanying documentation
Monitor the removal of Specified Risk Material from carcasses and offal
Examine carcasses after washing to ensure proper removal of Specified Risk Material and associated debris
Monitor the separation, staining, weighing, storage and despatch of Specified Risk Material and the despoiling of cull meats and offal
 
You must also know how to address problems and adhere to regulatory standards and standard operating procedures and be able to apply your skills and knowledge within food safety and health and safety regulations and any relevant international industry codes. You should also have an understanding of how the green circular economy supports repeated use of resources and products within your organisation.
 
This standard is for you if you work in food operations and are involved in checking the application of specified risk material procedures in meat or poultry processing.


Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. identify live meat and poultry species and the carcasses as classified in Food Safety Management Procedures (FSMP)
  2. check the dentition of animals at post mortem and confirm the number of incisors of cattle, sheep and goats in all cases
  3. correlate carcasses with the appropriate documentation and ear-tag numbers
  4. check identification of animals requiring Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE) testing
  5. identify those parts of the meat or poultry species listed as specified risk material and the associated debris that needs to be removed
  6. identify any non-compliance with organisational FSMP and take the appropriate action
  7. verify Food Business Operator responsibilities regarding TSE legislation
  8. monitor the hygienic removal and preparation of tongues
  9. monitor the removal of Specified Risk Material according to FSMP
  10. check FSMP are applied to bovines requiring TSE testing
  11. monitor the separation, staining, weighing, storage, and despatch of Specified Risk Material
  12. check for any non-compliance and take appropriate action
  13. check the accuracy of cattle movement documentation
  14. check that cross referencing in respect of cattle movements and the appropriate documentation takes place
  15. monitor the record keeping of Specified Risk Material
  16. monitor the recording of the removal and staining of Specified Risk Material and that other relevant records are maintained
  17. complete documentation relating to Specified Risk Material

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. the range of live animals classified in the Specified Risk Material regulations
  2. the range of carcasses specified in the current Specified Risk Material legislation
  3. the range of meat and poultry species that require TSE testing
  4. the principles of ageing by dentition in animals
  5. the range of documentation accompanying cattle and the importance of its correlation with ear-tag number
  6. those parts of the carcass and offals and associated debris identified as Specified Risk Material
  7. the procedures and requirements for the removal of Specified Risk Material and associated debris from carcasses and offal of specified animals intended for human consumption
  8. methods of removal and hygienic preparation of tongues
  9. the examination processes and procedures to determine the presence of Specified Risk Material and associated debris in carcasses and offal
  10. the procedures for the removal, separation, staining, storage and despatch of Specified Risk Material according to legal requirements
  11. the procedures for the despoiling, handling, crating, storage and despatch of meat from culled animals
  12. the information required on cattle movement documentation, the reasons for and the importance of checking cattle movement documentation
  13. the function and methods of cross referencing with competent authorities with regard to cattle movements
  14. the record to be kept by the occupier and by the inspectorate under FSMP for the handling of Specified Risk Material and the correct method of completing such records
  15. the procedures and conditions relative to the application of personal stamp and the YL and YG stamps
  16. what constitutes non-compliance under the terms of organisational FSMP
  17. the appropriate action to be taken when non-compliance under organisational FSMP is identified
  18. the additional requirements for the processing of Over Thirty Month cattle in line with the agreed Recommended Method of Operation
  19. how primary processing of meat or poultry is carried out in large- and small-scale processing environments
  20. the key features of large-scale primary processing equipment
  21. how poultry and game birds can be de-feathered manually
  22. the major features of large scale de-feathering equipment
  23. the importance of scald time and temperature to the de-feathering of poultry or game birds
  24. which meat species undergo de-hairing before further processing
  25. how meat species are de-haired and the major features of a de-hairing system
  26. how meat species are skinned and the importance of lines of rip
  27. the evisceration of meat or poultry and its importance to final product quality and food safety
  28. how meat or poultry is eviscerated
  29. why meat carcasses are split and its importance in the removal of specified risk material
  30. how whole poultry carcasses are prepared for further sale or processing
  31. the importance of chilling in the production of meat or poultry production and storage
  32. the limits of your own authority and competence and why it is important to work within those limits
  33. what recording, reporting and communication is needed, how to carry this out and the reasons why it is important to do so

Scope/range


Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary


Links To Other NOS


External Links


Version Number

1

Indicative Review Date

2028

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Improve

Original URN

IMPMP311

Relevant Occupations

Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Manufacturing Technologies, Plant and Machine Operatives, Process Operatives, Process, Plant and Machine Operatives

SOC Code

8111

Keywords

Meat, poultry, risk, procedures, carcass dentition, offal