Report of specified risk material and other BSE control breaches for September 2009
Tuesday 10 November 2009
The following report from the Food Standards Agency provides an update on specified risk material (SRM) finds and related issues. These reports are posted on the Agency’s website normally during the second week of the month following any discovery of a breach in controls.
Imported SRM breaches
No reports received.
Domestic SRM breaches
On 29 September 2009, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), which enforces SRM controls in Northern Ireland on behalf of the FSA, reported the discovery of spinal cord, which is SRM's in cattle aged over 12 months, in a forequarter of fresh beef that had been consigned from premises in England.
The breach was discovered at Linden Foods in Northern Ireland and was part of a consignment of 104 beef carcasses. The spinal cord should have been removed at the slaughterhouse in England, Whitley Bay Meat Supply Company, prior to despatch.
The receiving company, Linden Foods Northern Ireland, was not responsible for the breach.
The remainder of the consignment was checked, found to be clear of SRM and released. The affected forequarter was condemned.
Background on SRM issues
- SRM is that part of the animal most likely to contain BSE infectivity
- The SRM controls remove more than 99% of BSE infectivity that may be present in cattle
- Under European Union (EU) law, SRM must be removed as soon as possible after slaughter, stained and disposed of safely
Share this with: