Current and emerging approaches to assuring the hygienic condition of red meats

Abstract

Current meat inspection activities exclude overtly diseased animals and carcasses from human consumption, and prevent grossly unhygienic meat production practices. However, they have signally failed to reduce the incidence of enteric pathogens on meat although the transmission of such organisms from asymptomatic animals is recognized as the major health risk associated with meat. The general hygienic condition of meat will be improved only if effective Hazard Analysis: Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems can be developed for meat production, preparation and distribution processes. The development of effective HACCP systems is impeded by the uncertain commitment of managements to product improvement, the lack of defined procedures for the objective identification of hazardous practices, and the persistence of the subjective assessment of the hygienic condition of product. The development of objective procedures for hazard analysis could precipitate the resolution of the other impediments to HACCP implementation. Key words: Meat hygiene, meat inspection, hazard analysis, process control, HACCP