The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Outdated training uncovered in review of meat plants
REVIEW: Several areas for improvement identified by Food Standards Agency
A comprehensive review of meat cutting plants and cold stores has uncovered evidence of outdated training and inconsistencies in communications and in-training for officers who carry out approval assessments.
The UK-wide review by Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) was carried out in the wake of non-compliance issues at various cutting plants, and while the agencies say they do not believe current meat industry practices present a systemic risk to public health, they have identified several areas for improvement.
In particular the report points out that there is no specific guidance on checks that should be carried out on cold stores following their approval.
It also points out that the details of assurance schemes standards are not held by FSS or FSA and industry assurance data is not routinely shared between regulators and those who set the private standards.
The review is intended to improve levels of public confidence in the safety and authenticity of UK meat, and between now and September, the food safety agencies will work with meat plants and other stakeholders to address the issues that have been identified and look at options for improvement.
The report states: “The overall system of assurance and regulation does require modernisation.
“We have identified several areas for improvement and will now work with stakeholders to develop proposals which can address those issues in the short and longer term.
“The review will report to the FSA/ FSS Boards in September with any recommendations for change accompanied by a delivery plan for short, medium and longer-term proposals.”
Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers president Frank Clark said cutting plants and cold stores operate in a complex legislative environment.
He added: “We welcome the analysis given at this stage. It is important that the next part of the review, leading to recommendations for further work, is taken forward in full engagement with the industry.
“In this context, any action designed to enhance the competency of veterinary and meat inspection staff would have our full support, alongside the delivery of official controls with the maximum level of consistency.
“Additional guidance on the specific testing protocols necessary to establish the durability of the end product, especially for cutting plant operators, would be extremely helpful and would further underpin the collaborative working relationship which we already have as an association with FSS.”
We will now work with stakeholders to develop proposals