A newly revised 20-chapter version of Meat Industry Guidance has been published across the pond by the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency (FSA). The product is the work of a panel of government and industry representatives and was written to clarify legal requirements, provide useful tips, and teach good practice principles. FSA says its new Meat Industry Guide sets out:
- The legal obligations that apply to food business operators in the meat sector and provides advice on how these obligations can be met.
- That compliance with the law is not voluntary, but operators are not obliged to follow the advice in the guide as there may be other ways of achieving compliance with the law that are equally valid.
- An interpretation of the law that is not authoritative because only the courts have that power.
The guide was written to help those UK’s meat plant operators whose premises require approval and veterinary control under the European Union Food Hygiene Regulations. It covers slaughter, cutting, and processing of fresh meat. In addition to the outside experts, FSA used an editorial panel made up of representatives from industry organizations, enforcement authorities, and agency officials to fine-tune the newly revised guide. All 20 chapters are available online here. The Food Standards Agency represents England, Wales and Northern Ireland on food safety and standards issues in the European Union. It is also involved in the nutrition and health agenda at a European level.
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