Meat inspection notes Flashcards
Who should you report to if you are concerned of an animal welfare breach?
APHA or local trading standards authority
An animal has septicaemia (redenned carcass, congestion), uraemia or pyaemia. Is this animal fit for human consumption?
No
An animal has anaemia. Is this animal fit for human consumption?
No
An animal has jaundice. Is this animal fit for human consumption?
No
An animal has anaemia. Is this animal fit for human consumption?
No
An animal presents with one Cysticercus bovis cyst. Is this meat suitable for human consumption? If not, what other action is required?
Yes
BUT only after removing affected area and freezing for 3 weeks at -7 or 2 weeks at -10
A carcass has visible faecal contamination. Is this meat suitable for human consumption? If not, what other action is required?.
Only if trimming of faecal contamination
Give examples of when an animal is unfit for transport
Unable to walk independently without pain
Severe open wound or prolapse
Last 10% of gestation (last 4 weeks for cattle)
Females that have given birth in the past 7 days
Newborn calves or navel hasn’t healed
Calves less than 10 days (<100km only)
A cow presents with a severe prolapse. Is she fit to travel for slaughter?
No - requires emergency ‘on farm’ slaughter
At what age are animals never fit for human consumption?
<7 days old
What traceability do cows, pigs, sheep and horses require?
Cows - 2 tags and passport
Sheep - ear tags
Pig - ear tags or tattoo/slapmark
Horses - transponder and passport
When is water and feed required for animals in lairage?
Water always
Feed after 12 hours
Name some signs of an effective mechanical stun
Collapse - tonic/clonic phases No rhythmic breathing Fixed, glazed expression No corneal reflex Relaxed jaw
Why are animals that have been pithed not suitable for human consumption?
Potential SRM contamination fo carcass
At what age do cattle’s incisors erupt?
First at 1.5 years
Then one pair per year
A carcass is surprisingly red after exsanguination and there is hypostatic congestion. The animal also has signs of DIC. What is your decision regarding whether this animal is safe for human consumption? If not, what ABP?
Suggests septicaemia
Not fit - dispose as category 2 ABP (if no SRM)
An animal has emaciation. What is your decision regarding whether this animal is safe for human consumption? If not, what ABP?
Not fit
Dispose as category 2 ABP
(if welfare compromised, take action)
A cow has polyarthritis with enlarged reactive lymph nodes and DIC. What is your decision regarding whether this animal is safe for human consumption? If not, what ABP?
Indicates ongoing septicaemia
Not fit
Dispose as category 2
A cow has arthritis but there are no signs of septicaemia. What is your decision regarding whether this animal is safe for human consumption? If not, what ABP?
Fit for consumption
Reject affected tissues and dispose as category 2 ABP
An animal has presented for slaughter from a non-TB restricted premise. Can this animal be slaughtered, and if so when?
Last in the day (or any other time of day) before full cleaning/disinfection of slaughter line
OR in a separate slaughter hall used for suspected diseased animals
How must farmers mark an animal from a non-TB restricted premises before sending it to an abattoir?
Orange stripe along back
What must always be inspected visually, by palpation and incision for an animal that has come from a non-TB restricted premises?
LNs
require incision
What must happen if a carcass is suspected of having TB?
Detain carcass
Notify APHA
Make decision in terms of fitness depending on findings
An animal presents with multiple Cysticercus ovis cysts, in less than 3 anatomical locations. Is this meat suitable for human consumption? If not, what other action is required?
Affected tissues unfit for human consumption
Trim affected parts of carcass
An animal presents with generaliesd Cysticercus bovis cysts. Is this meat suitable for human consumption? If not, what other action is required?
No - reject carcass and offal
A carcass has signs of pneumonia, but not septicaemia. What is your decision regarding whether this animal is safe for human consumption? If not, what ABP?
Lungs unfit for human cosumption - ABP 2
Rest of carcass fit for human consumption
A sheep carcass has pneumonia, which you suspect to be caused by Pasteurella or Mycoplasma. What is your decision regarding whether this animal is safe for human consumption? If not, what ABP?
Lungs unfit for human cosumption - ABP 2
Rest of carcass fit for human consumption
A sheep carcass has evidence of lungworm caused by D. filaria. What is your decision regarding whether this animal is safe for human consumption? If not, what ABP?
Lungs unfit for human cosumption - ABP 2
Rest of carcass fit for human consumption
A sheep carcass has evidence of lungworm caused by Muelleris capillaris. What is your decision regarding whether this animal is safe for human consumption? If not, what ABP?
Lungs unfit for human cosumption - ABP 3
Rest of carcass fit for human consumption
A scow carcass has evidence of lungworm caused by D. viviparus. What is your decision regarding whether this animal is safe for human consumption? If not, what ABP?
Lungs unfit for human cosumption - ABP 2
Rest of carcass fit for human consumption
What happens if an animal has dark, unclotted blood that continues after slaughter?
Detain carcass
Notify APHA
(suspect anthrax)
What happens if an animal dies during transport or during lairage?
Report to APHA or local authority
Suspected welfare in transport case
If there are multiple/generalised hydatid cysts (Echinococcus granulosus), what would be your decision regarding fitness for human consumption and ABPs?
Not fit for human consumption
Dispose as cat 2 ABP (do not bury - dogs may retrieve affected organs!)
If there is only one or two hydatid cysts (E. granulosus) and you suspect the lesions are not generalised, what would be your decision regarding fitness for human consumption and ABPs?
Affected parts not fit - ABP 2
Rest of carcass fit
What is your decision if a carcass has evidence of liver fluke? If parts are not fit, what ABP should you dispose them as?
If no evidence of hepatic dysfunction:
Only liver unfit for human consumption - dispose as ABP 3
If evidence of hepatic dysfunction:
Not fit for human consumption, dispose as ABP 2
A carcass has hepatic abscesses but no evidence of septicaemia. What would your decision be regarding fitness for consumption and ABP?
Only liver not fit for human consumption - ABP 2
Rest of carcass fit
A carcass has evidence of a malignant tumour, as you find infiltrative behaviour and metastases. What would your decision be regarding fitness for consumption and ABP?
Not fit for human consumption
Dispose of as ABP-2
A carcass has evidence of a benign tumour. What would your decision be regarding fitness for consumption and ABP?
Reject affected tissues as ABP2
Rest of carcass fit for consumption
A pig liver is found to have ‘Milk spots’ (Ascaris suum). What would your decision be regarding fitness for consumption and ABP?
Affected lobes unfit for human consumption
Dispose as ABP 3
Rest of carcass fit
What is the SRM for sheep?
Under 12 months - none
>12 months or permanent incisors - skull (brain eyes) and spinal cord
What is the SRM for cattle?
All ages - tonsils, last 4m of SI, caecum, mesentery
Over 12 months- skull including brain and eyes, spinal cord
Over 30 months - vertebral column including dorsal root ganglia
How long must FBO records be kept for?
1 year
How much time after death must pass before birds can be dressed?
90 seconds
2 minutes for turkey/geese
If animal is category 1 or 2 in terms of dirtiness (1-4), will the animal be accepted for slaughter and if not, what further treatment is required?
Yes - no further action required
If animal is category 3, 4 or 5 in terms of dirtiness (1-5), will the animal be accepted for slaughter and if not, what further treatment is required?
Rejected for slaughter
May be accepted if line slowed down to allow further trimming, 48 hours in lairage or clipped to remove contaminated material
What happens if an organ is found to be contaminated with faecal contamination?
If only small amount - trim affected area
Washing further spreads contaminants
Meat falls onto a visibly clean floor and is picked up promptly. Is it fit for human consumption?
No - dispose of as category 3
category 2 if unhygienic flooring
If uraemia is suspected but not confirmed in a carcase, what can be done for further investigation?
Carcass held for 24 hours
Boiling test performed to see if uraemic smell prevails
An organ shows evidence of infarction, but there is no systemic involvement. What should be done with the affected organ - is it fit for human consumption?
Reject affected parts and dispose of as ABP 2
Kidneys are found with hydronephrosis and urinary cysts, but there is no systemic involvement. What should be done with the affected organ - is it fit for human consumption?
Reject affected parts
Dispose of as ABP-2
