Detection of Trichinella in pork
- Food safety
- Food safety controls
Summary
The European Union has published the following changes regarding the detection of Trichinella in pork meat.
- 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.
European Commission clarifies reference method for detecting Trichinella in pork and authorises new equivalent method (lumiVAST Trichinella)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/506 of 19 March 2025 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
Update
The European Union has published the following changes regarding the detection of Trichinella in pork meat.
- 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.
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 placed on the EU market (Regulation 2015/1375).
The new Regulation:
- Clarifies 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, Chapter I, point 2). It also updates the citation of the updated International Organization for Standardization reference method (ISO 2023) (Annex I, Chapters I and II).
- Authorises, under certain conditions, “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).
(Note that the consolidated version of Regulation 2015/1375 integrating the changes in Regulation 2025/506 is not yet published. For the most recent version of Regulation 2015/1375 click on “Consolidated version” or “Access current version”.)
Why?
The method of detecting Trichinella in pork meat has been clarified and updated with the latest ISO reference method (ISO 2023).
The “lumiVAST Trichinella” detection method has been validated by the European Reference Laboratory to be used as an equivalent to the reference method.
Timeline
The Regulation applies from 9 April 2025.
Background
Regulations 853/2004 and 2017/625 lay down the health rules regarding food of animal origin and the official controls required.
More specific requirements are necessary for monitoring Trichinella. Specific rules on official controls for Trichinella in meat are set out in Regulation 2015/1375, Annex I, which provides the reference method of detection (Chapter I), and authorisation of equivalent methods of detection (Chapter II).
Resources
Feedback to the European Commission’s Have your say platform
ISO (2023) ISO 18743:2015/Amd 1:2023, Microbiology of the food chain – Detection of Trichinella larvae in meat by artificial digestion method. Amendment 1: Method validation studies and performance characteristics
Sources
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/506 as regards the reference method and the authorisation of lumiVAST Trichinella as an equivalent method for detection of Trichinella in meat of domestic swine
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European Commission clarifies reference method for detecting Trichinella in pork and authorises new equivalent method (lumiVAST Trichinella)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/506 as regards the reference method and the authorisation of lumiVAST Trichinella as an equivalent method for detection of Trichinella in meat of domestic swine
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) has amended its rules for testing pork for the parasite Trichinella. The changes include the following.
- Reference method: specification of the samples, including weights, to be taken in the case of whole carcasses and cuts of pork.
- New detection method: the “lumiVAST Trichinella” method is authorised under certain conditions as an alternative equivalent detection method.
Timeline
The Regulation applies from 9 April 2025.
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.