Detection of Trichinella in pork
- Food safety
- Food safety controls
Summary
The European Commission has launched a consultation on the following proposed changes regarding the detection of Trichinella in pork:
- Reference method: specification of the samples, including weights, to be taken in the case of whole carcasses and cuts of pork
- Authorisation of “lumiVAST Trichinella” as an equivalent method for the detection of Trichinella.
Stakeholders can submit their comments on the draft Regulation via the European Commission’s Have your say platform until 2 January 2025 (midnight).
European Commission proposes to clarify reference method for detecting Trichinella in pork and authorises new equivalent method (lumiVAST Trichinella)
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation amending Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1375 as regards the reference method and the authorisation of lumiVAST Trichinella as an equivalent method for detection of Trichinella in meat of domestic swine [pdf to be downloaded]
Update
The European Commission has launched a consultation on the following proposed changes regarding the detection of Trichinella in pork:
- Reference method: specification of the samples, including weights, to be taken in the case of whole carcasses and cuts of pork
- Authorisation of “lumiVAST Trichinella” as an equivalent method for the detection of Trichinella.
Stakeholders can submit their comments on the draft Regulation via the European Commission’s Have your say platform until 2 January 2025 (midnight).
Impacted Products
pork
What is changing?
As Trichinella in pork can cause illness in consumers, methods are in place for detecting its presence in pork put on the EU market (Regulation 2015/1375).
The new draft Regulation proposes to:
- Clarify the reference method of detection by specifying where to take the samples, and the weight that must be taken in the case of whole carcasses and pork cuts (Annex I, Ch. I, point 2). It also updates the reference to the International Standards Organisation (ISO) reference method that was updated in 2023: ISO18743:2015/Amd1:2023 (Annex I, Ch. I and II).
- Authorise “lumiVAST Trichinella” as an equivalent method for the detection of Trichinella spp. larvae in muscle samples of farmed pigs. It specifies the steps to be taken when results are positive or uncertain (Annex I, Chapter II.F).
Why?
The lumiVAST Trichinella method has been validated by the European Reference Laboratory to be used as a method that is equivalent to the reference method.
Timeline
The Regulation is expected to be published early 2025 and will apply 20 days after its publication.
Recommended Actions
Interested stakeholders can submit comments on the Have your say platform until 2 January 2025 (midnight).
Background
Regulation (EC) 853/2004 and Regulation (EU) 2017/625 lay down the health rules and requirements regarding food of animal origin and the official controls required.
More specific requirements are necessary for monitoring Trichinella and are set out in Regulation (EU) 2015/1375, laying down specific rules on official controls for Trichinella in meat (Annex I sets out the reference method of detection in Ch. 1, and authorisation of equivalent methods of detection in Ch. 2).
Sources
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation as regards the reference method and the authorisation of lumiVAST Trichinella as an equivalent method for detection of Trichinella in meat of domestic swine [pdf to be downloaded]
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.
European Commission proposes to clarify reference method for detecting Trichinella in pork and authorises new equivalent method (lumiVAST Trichinella)
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation as regards the reference method and the authorisation of lumiVAST Trichinella as an equivalent method for detection of Trichinella in meat of domestic swine [pdf to be downloaded]
What is changing and why?
The European Commission is asking for feedback on proposed rules for testing pork for Trichinella (a parasite). The changes include:
- Reference method: Clearer rules about what and how much meat to test for Trichinella in the case of whole carcasses and cuts of pork.
- New detection method approved: The “lumiVAST Trichinella” method is authorised as an alternative equivalent detection method.
Actions
Interested stakeholders can submit comments on the Have your say platform until 2 January 2025 (midnight).
Timeline
The Regulation is expected to be published early 2025 and will apply 20 days after its publication.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.