Report of specified risk material and other BSE control breaches for February 2010
Tuesday 16 March 2010
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 usually during the second week of the month following any discovery of a breach in controls.
Imported SRM breaches
On 3 February spinal cord, which is SRM in goats aged over 12 months, was discovered in nine imported goat sides at London Central Markets. A second breach of the Regulations was reported there on 17 February when spinal cord was found in 20 imported goat sides.
The spinal cord should have been removed at the establishment of origin in The Netherlands, Vitelco B.V. of Hertogenbosch, prior to dispatch.
All of the affected material was detained and the Food Standards Agency has written to the Dutch authorities asking that urgent action be taken to prevent a recurrence.
The receiving organisation, London Central Markets, was not responsible for the breach.
Domestic SRM breach
No reports received.
Background on SRM issues
- SRM is that part of the animal most likely to contain BSE infectivity
- Under European Union law, SRM must be removed as soon as possible after slaughter, stained and disposed of safely
Share this with: