Trichinella control and analysis in relation to cutting of pork carcasses
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EU amends rules on cutting pork carcasses in relation to Trichinella testing
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1418 of 22 August 2022 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1375 as regards Trichinella control in relation to cutting of carcasses and alternative analytical methods
Update
The EU previously limited to “specific pork products” the possibility to cut carcasses into more than six parts before the result of Trichinella testing is known. This option is now extended to the production of all pork products.
Impacted Products
pork
What is changing?
The EU previously permitted operators to cut carcasses into more than six parts before the result from Trichinella testing is known, only for the production of specific pork products (for which warm cutting is necessary for technical reasons). The rules have now been amended to allow this practice for the production of all pork products. It means that carcasses can now be deboned/cut before being chilled.
In addition, this Regulation updates the cross-reference to ISO 18743:2015 contained in the method of detection and in the alternative methods.
Why?
The previous limitation for certain products has no scientific basis, and is not a limitation laid down for warm cutting in Regulation (EC) No 853/2004. This limitation should therefore be removed from Regulation (EU) 2015/1375, aligning the conditions for warm cutting in both Regulations.
Timeline
Date of publication: 23 August 2022
Date of entry into force: 12 September 2022
What are the major implications for exporting countries?
The new rules provide more flexibility to producers of pork intended for export to the EU.
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.
In addition, more specific requirements were necessary for monitoring Trichinella. They are set in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1375, which lays down specific rules on official controls for Trichinella in meat.
Sources
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1418