Spinal cord found in British sheep carcass

Tuesday 26 April 2011

On 10 March 2011, during a routine inspection by Food Standards Agency staff, a health-marked ewe carcass containing spinal cord was discovered at S B Basildene Ltd, an approved cutting plant in Renfrewshire in Scotland.

Spinal cord from sheep aged over 12 months (or that have one permanent incisor erupted) is classified as a specified risk material (SRM) and is prohibited from use in food. This is a precautionary measure to reduce the possibility of BSE infectivity entering the food chain. The affected carcass was detained.

The other carcasses in the consignment were checked and found to be free from SRM. No SRM entered the food supply as a result of this incident.

Investigations revealed that the animal had been processed on 7 March at Welsh Country Foods, part of the Vion Foods Group, a slaughterhouse in Anglesey where the spinal cord should have been removed. Measures have been taken to prevent a recurrence.

The receiving food business, SB Basildene was not responsible for the breach.

Background on SRM issues:

• SRM are those parts of the animal most likely to contain BSE infectivity
• the SRM controls are applied as a precautionary safety measure for sheep. No BSE has been found in the UK sheep flock
• under European Union law, SRM must be removed after slaughter, stained and disposed of safely