Biosecurity Services Group On-Plant Management System Work Instruction 3.03.02 Page 1 Export Meat Program Page 1 of 9
1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this Work Instruction (WI) is to provide AQIS staff with a standard approach to verification of the performance of post mortem inspection. Deleted: ante 2. Scope 2.1 This Work Instruction applies to AQIS On-Plant Veterinarians (OPV), FSMAs and staff at export registered slaughtering establishments who undertake verification of ante mortem inspection. 3. Activities 3.1 Verify effectiveness of post mortem inspection by examining a randomly selected sample of product (carcases and offal) and observing the inspection procedure to determine whether product has been inspected and inspection is done in accordance with AQIS instructions. 3.1.1 Product examination is by looking for abnormalities that the AAO may have missed and for physical signs (such as incisions) that show inspection was performed correctly. o The amount of product to examine is detailed in sampling plans (Attachment 1). o Performance standards (Attachment 2a, b or c as applicable to species) identify the defects of concern and define acceptable tolerances. Deleted: ante Deleted: Conduct 3.1.2 Observe each position (heads, carcase and viscera) where post mortem inspection is performed to determine if the procedures used comply with post mortem procedures outlined in the relevant Australian Standard and as specified in OPMS SOP 6.03 - Post Mortem and associated WI. o Attachment 1. (7.1) defines the number of post mortem procedural observations that have to be made. o Where there is more than one AAO at a position the verification sample is to be spread amongst the AAOs performing inspection at that position. Deleted: 2 3.1.3 For guidance on inspection activities refer to: a) OPMS SOP 3.02 - Independent Product and Process Examination and relevant associated work instructions. b) Meat Hygiene Assessment - Version 2 Page 1 Export Meat Program Page 2 of 9
3.1.4 Examine product for pathology: 1. The sample for carcase and offal Critical Control Point and Meat Hygiene Assessment verification may be a subset of the larger sample required for post mortem verification. 2. Carcases/sides, which need to be assessed for the presence of pathology, may be assessed in the carcase chillers, bagging stations, load-out and / or prior to boning pre-trim as long as the whole of the carcase can be seen and adequate facilities are available (eg lighting). 3.1.5 Complete Procedure and Product Record Form, relevant to species (see Section 5), with observations and findings. o It is important that all checks are recorded even if no deficiencies are identified. o Forms must be d with a pen and under no circumstances is correction fluid to be used. o If an incorrect entry is made it must be ruled out and initialled, and the correct entry made on the next line. o The forms for product post mortem verification may be used for carcase Critical Control Points and carcase hygiene verification. 3.2 The post mortem inspection process is considered acceptable if product meets the relevant performance standard (Attachment 2a, b or c) e.g. any defects detected are within the defined windows for each parameter being measured. o Some types of defects only need to be detected once for the post mortem inspection process to be unacceptable (i.e. zero allowed). 3.3 If a non-compliance in the performance standard and / or inspection procedure of an AAO is found the OPV is to: 3.3.1 Notify the establishment QA manager of the problem. 3.3.2 In conjunction with the QA manager discuss the issue with the AAO concerned. 3.3.3 Verify that the QA manager implements appropriate Corrective and Preventive Action taking into account the following considerations: 1. Where the non-compliance is not critical pathology or critical procedural deficiency (ie no food safety risk): a) Retraining on the job may be an appropriate response. b) Further formal training, using a certified trainer if appropriate, with reassessment of the competency of the inspector may also be considered. 2. Where the non-compliance is critical pathology or critical procedural deficiency: a) The AAO concerned should be removed from the position b) Replaced with an AAO who has necessary competency. Deleted: the Deleted: s Page 1 Export Meat Program Page 3 of 9
c) The AAO is to be retrained, if necessary using certified trainer, and reassessed for competency before undertaking future ante mortem inspection activity. 3.3.4 Report the issue through NEVS as appropriate to level of non-compliance and ensure the identity of the AAO, date, time and observations is included in the report. 3.3.5 If an AAO has breached the standard three times within 1 month the AAO is to be: a) Removed from the position b) Replaced with an AAO with appropriate competency. c) Retrained by a certified trainer d) Reassessed by an OPV prior to undertaking any future inspection activity. 3.3.6 In addition to the preceding action, following a critical non-compliance, assess/reassess product, carcases and offal produced and: a) Verify the affected lot(s) against post mortem performance standards o AQIS FSMA records may be used in conjunction with assessment of carcases produced that are in the chiller. b) Assess all offal produced since the last clear check of product to determine if reinspection and removal of any defects is required c) Apply appropriate disposition if required and ensure product is retained as per OPMS SOP 6.04 AQIS Retention Deleted: t Deleted: in assessed lot(s). 3.4 Note any other non-conformity observed and notify the establishment specifically indicating those which require immediate corrective action and ensure findings are recorded through NEVS as appropriate. 4. Essential Equipment 4.1 Retain tags 4.2 Daily Kill Agenda worksheet 4.4 Ink pen and recording forms Page 1 Export Meat Program Page 4 of 9
5. Related Material 5.1 This WI is to be read in conjunction with: OPMS SOP 3.03 - Verification of Ante and Post Mortem Inspection 5.2 The following form template is to be used during verification activity: OPMS FM 3.03.02.01 Procedure & Product Record Cattle OPMS FM 3.03.02.02 Procedure & Product Record Calves OPMS FM 3.03.02.03 Procedure & Product Record Pig OPMS FM 3.03.02.04 Procedure & Product Record Sheep/Goats OPMS FM 3.03.02.05 Procedure & Product Record Lambs 6. Detailed Version History Date Published IML Administrator to Complete Version Detail reason for issue or amendments 1 New WI to instruct verification of post mortem activities -AEMIS Author / Document Owner (Program) Export Meat Program - John Langbridge - Neil Burns - Stephen Ottaway - Tony Wigg - Arul Thilakan - Jill Gordon Page 1 Export Meat Program Page 5 of 9
7. Attachment 1 AQIS - Sampling Plans 7.1 Inspection procedures Procedure 1 Frequency Sample size for 3 inspection positions Sample size for 2 inspection positions 2 Carcases - daily Daily Viscera - daily Daily Heads - daily Daily ; or nil* Retained product 1 Procedures may be able to be observed from one point on smaller slaughter floors. 2 These figures may change following PM verification trials on small stock chains. * 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 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 3 inspection positions Sample size for 2 inspection positions Carcases Daily Viscera ^ Daily Heads Daily ; or nil* Retained product Retained product with significant or unusual pathology As necessary All 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. Page 1 Export Meat Program Page 6 of 9
8. Attachment 2a Post-mortem inspection performance standards for cattle product Defects found in product as a result of inadequate post mortem inspection procedure can be divided into four categories. A tolerance (or standard) is set for each category of defect depending on the food safety risk that it presents. Categories Food safety Post Mortem Potentially infectious conditions (for example: septicaemia/toxaemia, pyaemia, viable Cysticercus bovis lesions) Wholesomeness - non-infectious conditions Post Mortem Carcase Pathology (for example: anaemia, arthritis, emaciation, fractures, icterus, localised abscess, mastitis, metritis, nephritis, oedema, pyelonephritis, parasites including non-viable cysticercus lesions, neoplasms, pericarditis, pleuritis, pneumonia, uraemia) Post mortem Offal pathology (for example: cystic kidneys, enteritis/gastritis, icterus, nephritis, pyelonephritis, parasites including non-viable cysticercus lesions, peritonitis) Inspection procedures Muscles, organs and tissues that have been incorrectly incised, or palpated Standard 0 allowed <6% <6% <5% To determine whether process control has remained within acceptable limits for issues involving wholesomeness the maximum number of days in any 25 day period. Category Maximum number of days above maximum defect levels for wholesomeness and inspection procedures for an individual meat safety inspector in any 25 day period Post Mortem Carcase Pathology noninfectious 3 Post mortem Offal pathology non-infectious 3 Inspection procedures 3 Page 1 Export Meat Program Page 7 of 9
9. Attachment 2b Post-mortem inspection performance standards for pig product Defects found in product as a result of inadequate post mortem inspection procedure can be divided into four categories. A tolerance (or standard) is set for each category of defect depending on the food safety risk that it presents. Categories Food safety Post Mortem Potentially infectious conditions (for example: septicaemia/toxaemia, pyaemia, viable sparganosis lesions 1 ) Wholesomeness - non-infectious conditions Post Mortem Carcase Pathology (for example: anaemia, arthritis, emaciation, fractures, icterus, localised abscess, mastitis, metritis, nephritis, oedema, pyelonephritis, parasites including non-viable cysticercus lesions, neoplasms, pericarditis, pleuritis, pneumonia and uraemia) Post mortem Offal pathology (for example: cystic kidneys, enteritis/gastritis, icterus, nephritis, pyelonephritis, peritonitis and parasites including non-viable cysticercus lesions but excluding viable cysticercus lesions and sparganosis) Inspection procedures Muscles, organs and tissues that have been incorrectly incised, or palpated. Standard 0 allowed <4.1% <7.2% <5% To determine whether process control has remained within acceptable limits for issues involving wholesomeness the maximum number of days in any 25 day period. Category Maximum number of days above maximum defect levels for wholesomeness and inspection procedures for an individual meat safety inspector in any 25 day period Post Mortem Carcase Pathology non-infectious 2 Post mortem Offal pathology non-infectious 4 Inspection procedures 3 1 Where sparganosis has been identified and the carcase has been retained for freezing either before or after boning then the detection at verification is not a defect. Page 1 Export Meat Program Page 8 of 9
10. Attachment 2c Post-mortem inspection performance standards for sheep, lamb and goat product Defects found in product as a result of inadequate post mortem inspection procedure can be divided into four categories. A tolerance (or standard) is set for each category of defect depending on the food safety risk that it presents. Categories Food safety Post Mortem Potentially infectious conditions (for example: septicaemia/toxaemia, pyaemia). Wholesomeness - non-infectious conditions Post Mortem Carcase Pathology (for example: anaemia, arthritis, emaciation, fractures, icterus, localised abscess, mastitis, metritis, nephritis, oedema, pyelonephritis, parasites, neoplasms, pericarditis, pleuritis, pneumonia, uraemia) Post mortem Offal pathology (for example: cystic kidneys, enteritis/gastritis, icterus, nephritis, pyelonephritis, parasites, peritonitis) Inspection procedures Muscles, organs and tissues that have been incorrectly incised or palpated. Standard 0 allowed <6% <6% <5% To determine whether process control has remained within acceptable limits for issues involving wholesomeness the maximum number of days in any 25 day period. Category Maximum number of days above maximum defect levels for wholesomeness and inspection procedures for an individual meat safety inspector in any 25 day period Post Mortem Carcase Pathology non-infectious 2 Post mortem Offal pathology non-infectious 4 Inspection procedures 3 Page 1 Export Meat Program Page 9 of 9