Meat Inspection I Flashcards
Where does the ante mortem inspection occur?
In the abattoir (lairage stage)
Where does the post mortem inspection occur?
During carcass dressing, after evisceration.
a Federal inspection is required when?
When meat is being sold interstate or for trade
When do you need a state inspection?
When selling the meat intrastate only.
If you’re slaughtering your own animals for your own consumption, do you need to have the USDA inspect it?
No.
T/F: Retail dealers/stores that do not slaughter, with >75% of sales going to retail customers don’t require inspection.
True. They only need to meet the health department’s standards for sanitation.
If you’re purchasing meat from another country, what is the weight limit for it to be exempt from inspection?
50lbs.
T/F: poultry is covered by FMIA.
False. They are covered/inspected by PPIA.
What are some downsides to transporting meat animals?
Expensive, stress can lead to loss of meat quality, there can be weight loss, pigs can suffocate, pigs and sheep can bruise (which can lead to condemnation of the whole animal), and there can be immune stress and microbial shedding.
What are 2 changes seen in meat due to stress?
Dark firm Dry - due to a pre-mortem depletion of muscle glycogen. Common in cattle
Pale Soft Exudative - post mortem depletion of muscle glycogen. Common in swine
Why is meat hung in a cooler for 2-3 weeks after slaughter?
Because glycogen in the muscle is converted to lactic acid, lowering the pH of the meat and tenderizing the meat.
T/F: depletion of glycogen (pre-mortem) in muscles, leads to a decrease in lactic acid, and thus an increased pH. This makes the meat more likely to spoil
True.
When is DFD most common?
In the summer
What are some ways to reduce DFD?
ensure adequate muscle glycogen, reduce glycogen consumption, and manage implants.
When is PSE most common?
in warm weather months. More heat = more damage.
What happens with PSE?
There is rapid glycolysis post mortem, causing a build up of lactic acid and decreased pH, making the meat moist and exudative.
Is PSE inherited?
There can be a heritable susceptibility to it.
What are some things that can be noticed ante-mortem in animals at rest?
fractures, downer animals, labored breathing, severe depression, injection site reactions, cancer eye, actinomycosis, etc.
What are some things that can be noticed antemortem in animals in motion?
lameness, non-ambulatory, ataxia, circling.
What are the 4 Ds?
dead, dying, diseased, and disabled.
Why do we no longer slaughter downer cattle?
because they have a higher probability of being infected with BSE prions.
T/F: meat from cow or pigs inected with brucella spp. is considered safe.
True.
What does the humane handling and slaughter of livestock directive state?
that livestock must be rendered insensible to pain before being shackled, hoisted, or cut.
What are the 4 approved methods of stunning?
carbon dioxide, electricity, captive bolt, and fire arms.
Who is carbon dioxide used in?
swine, sheep, and calves.
Captive bolt is used in what animals?
cattle, sheep, goats, and swine.
What are two types of captive bolts? Which is preferred?
penetrating and non-penetrating. Most plants prefer non-penetrating because there is less brain contamination.
Gunshot is a method of stunning used in what animals? Can the head still be used for meat after this?
cattle, calves, sheep, goats, swine. Head and brain are no longer used for food after this, but the tongue may be salvaged.
How long after sticking does it take for brain death to occur?
15-20 seconds.
Who is chest sticking seen in?
pigs. Cut the vessels where they arise from the heart.
Is there a specific legislation for slaughter of poultry?
No. PPIA only requires good commercial practices.
Why is dressing a common source of meat contamination?
Because the meat can become contaminated from soil on hide, rumen contents, feces, etc.
What happens if swine are scalded for too long or at too high temperature?
the skin will split and underlying tissues will be contaminated.
