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New EU legislation for meat product hygiene

With the modifications of this new regulation, the hygiene regulations applicable to products of animal origin are updated.

The Official Journal of the European Union has published Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1374 of 12 April 2021 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on specific hygiene requirements for food of animal origin

The publication of this regulation involves the updating of the hygiene regulations applicable to products of animal origin in order to offer new possibilities adapted to the present time and to solve the problems detected.

Among other aspects, the main modifications are:

Meat from ungulates:
- To avoid possible welfare problems during pick-up and transport, the slaughter of a small number of animals on the farm of origin (in mobile facilities belonging to authorized slaughterhouses) is regulated.
- In addition, the requirements for obtaining rennet and head meat are updated.
- "Approved veterinarian" is replaced by "official veterinarian" to align regulation 853/2004 with the regulations on official controls.
Food donations: Requirements are established for the freezing of meat of ungulates and poultry and lagomorphs in retail when destined for donation.
Meat from farmed game: the wording of the standard is modified so that the requirements applicable to meat from swine and cervids are also applicable to other animal families such as camelids.
Meat from wild game:
- Specific rules are established for wild game collection centers, both large and small.
- Requirements for the transport of game are included.
Greaves: specific requirements regarding storage temperature are eliminated, so that the operator will be the one to establish the necessary conditions to ensure food safety.