Check the application of specified risk material procedures in meat or poultry processing
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:
- identify live meat and poultry species and the carcasses as classified in Food Safety Management Procedures (FSMP)
- check the dentition of animals at post mortem and confirm the number of incisors of cattle, sheep and goats in all cases
- correlate carcasses with the appropriate documentation and ear-tag numbers
- check identification of animals requiring Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE) testing
- identify those parts of the meat or poultry species listed as specified risk material and the associated debris that needs to be removed
- identify any non-compliance with organisational FSMP and take the appropriate action
- verify Food Business Operator responsibilities regarding TSE legislation
- monitor the hygienic removal and preparation of tongues
- monitor the removal of Specified Risk Material according to FSMP
- check FSMP are applied to bovines requiring TSE testing
- monitor the separation, staining, weighing, storage, and despatch of Specified Risk Material
- check for any non-compliance and take appropriate action
- check the accuracy of cattle movement documentation
- check that cross referencing in respect of cattle movements and the appropriate documentation takes place
- monitor the record keeping of Specified Risk Material
- monitor the recording of the removal and staining of Specified Risk Material and that other relevant records are maintained
- complete documentation relating to Specified Risk Material
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the range of live animals classified in the Specified Risk Material regulations
- the range of carcasses specified in the current Specified Risk Material legislation
- the range of meat and poultry species that require TSE testing
- the principles of ageing by dentition in animals
- the range of documentation accompanying cattle and the importance of its correlation with ear-tag number
- those parts of the carcass and offals and associated debris identified as Specified Risk Material
- 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
- methods of removal and hygienic preparation of tongues
- the examination processes and procedures to determine the presence of Specified Risk Material and associated debris in carcasses and offal
- the procedures for the removal, separation, staining, storage and despatch of Specified Risk Material according to legal requirements
- the procedures for the despoiling, handling, crating, storage and despatch of meat from culled animals
- the information required on cattle movement documentation, the reasons for and the importance of checking cattle movement documentation
- the function and methods of cross referencing with competent authorities with regard to cattle movements
- 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
- the procedures and conditions relative to the application of personal stamp and the YL and YG stamps
- what constitutes non-compliance under the terms of organisational FSMP
- the appropriate action to be taken when non-compliance under organisational FSMP is identified
- the additional requirements for the processing of Over Thirty Month cattle in line with the agreed Recommended Method of Operation
- how primary processing of meat or poultry is carried out in large- and small-scale processing environments
- the key features of large-scale primary processing equipment
- how poultry and game birds can be de-feathered manually
- the major features of large scale de-feathering equipment
- the importance of scald time and temperature to the de-feathering of poultry or game birds
- which meat species undergo de-hairing before further processing
- how meat species are de-haired and the major features of a de-hairing system
- how meat species are skinned and the importance of lines of rip
- the evisceration of meat or poultry and its importance to final product quality and food safety
- how meat or poultry is eviscerated
- why meat carcasses are split and its importance in the removal of specified risk material
- how whole poultry carcasses are prepared for further sale or processing
- the importance of chilling in the production of meat or poultry production and storage
- the limits of your own authority and competence and why it is important to work within those limits
- what recording, reporting and communication is needed, how to carry this out and the reasons why it is important to do so