Specific Hygienic and Sanitary Practices to be followed by Food Business Operators engaged in manufacture, processing, storing and selling of Meat and Meat Products
Slaughter House
Food Business Operator which slaughters large animals and small animals including sheep and goat or poultry birds within the premises of his factory for production of meat/ meat products for supply / sale/ distribution to the public shall comply with the following requirements:—
- General Requirements
No Objection Certificate to be obtained from local Authority before grant of license. - Location of Premises
Such establishments / Slaughter Houses should be linked to a meat market located away from Vegetable, fish or other food markets and shall be free from undesirable odour, smoke, dust or other contaminants. The premises shall be located at elevated level in a sanitary place. - Premise requirements
- The slaughter house shall have a reception area/animal holding yard/resting yard, lairage, slaughter hall, side halls for hide collection, paunch collection, offals collection, and separation, holding room for suspected/ condemned carcass, by-product harvesting, refrigeration room/cold room etc.
- Every such establishment / Slaughter House shall make separate provision in the slaughter hall for the slaughter of different species which are proposed to be slaughtered (like large animal viz; Cattle and Buffalo, Pigs and small animals like Sheep & Goat) and for different methods of slaughter (like Halal, Jewish and Jhatka). After every type of operation the slaughter house shall be cleaned, washed wiped/dried and sanitized thoroughly.
- The slaughter house shall have separation between clean and dirty sections and shall be so organized that from the introduction of a live animal into the slaughter house up to the emergence of meat and offal classed as fit for human consumption there shall be a continuous forward movement without any possibility of reversal, intersection or overlapping between the live animal meat, and between meat and bye products or waste.
- The reception area/animal holding yard/ resting yard shall have facilities for watering and examining animals before they are sent to holding pens/lairage. Animals suspected of contagious or infectious diseases shall be segregated and kept in separate isolation pens which shall also be provided with arrangements for watering and feeding. After confirmation for any notifiable disease, the designated Veterinary Authority shall notify the disease as per the existing procedures. The resting yard must have overhead protective shelter.(This is not mandatory for registration category)
- The lairage shall be adequate in size for the number of animals to be laired.
- Separate space shall be provided for stunning (Wherever applicable), for collection of blood and for dressing of the carcasses. The slaughtering of an animal shall not be done in the sight of other animals. The dressing of the carcass shall not be done on the floor. Suitable hoists will be provided to hang the carcass before it is eviscerated.
- All the floors in lairage, slaughter halls, work rooms, hanging rooms shall be of impervious and non-slippery material.
- The internal walls will be paved with impervious glazed tiles up to 1 meter height in case of poultry and small ruminant animals and 5 meter height in case of large ruminant animals . The walls and floors should be epoxy coated so as to avoid accumulation/absorption of dust, blood/meat particles, microbial/fungal growth.
- Ceiling or roofs shall be so constructed and finished so as to minimise condensation, mould development, flaking and accumulation of dirt.
- Suitable and sufficient accommodation shall be provided for segregation, storage and disposal of condemned meat.
- The establishments / Slaughter Houses shall be so constructed and maintained as to permit hygienic production.
- Windows, doors and other openings suited to screening shall be fly proof. All doors shall have strong springs so that they may close automatically.
- All operations in connection with the preparation or packing of meat / meat food products shall be carried out under hygienic conditions. No portion of the establishments / Slaughter Houses premises shall ever be used for living or sleeping purposes unless it is separated from the factory by a wall.
- There shall be efficient drainage and plumbing systems and all drains and gutters shall be properly and permanently installed. There shall be provision for the disposal of refuse.
- The drainage system for blood shall either be underground with facility for easy cleaning or a portable receptacle with lid. All drainages will have traps and screens so as to prevent entry of scavengers like rats, mice, vermin etc.
- The rooms and compartments where edible products are handled shall be separate and distinct from the rooms and compartments for inedible products.
- Suitable and separate space shall be provided for the storage of hides and skins. This room shall have a separate exit.
- A constant and sufficient supply of clean potable cold water with pressure hose pipes and supply of hot water should be made available in the slaughter hall during working hours.
- Suitable and sufficient facilities shall be provided for persons working in the slaughter house for changing their clothes and cleaning their footwear, and cleaning their hands before entering rooms used for the preparation and storage of meat.
- Provision for latrines, toilets and change rooms will be made . Sufficient number of latrines, urinals, washbasins and bathrooms for each sex shall be provided.
- Suitable and sufficient facilities shall be provided in convenient places within the slaughter house for the sterilisation of knives and sharpner (mushtala) and other equipment used in the slaughter house. The knives and sharpner (mushtala) shall be of stainless steel only.
- Whenever cooking is done on open fire, chimneys shall be provided for removal of smoke and soot.
- Whenever the dressed meat is not used up for the preparation of meat food products and some portion has to be stored without further immediate processing, such storage shall be in a room maintained at 0° C to 2°C.
- All slaughter house refuse and waste materials will be suitably processed to prepare animal bye products or dumped in pits that are suitably covered so as to prevent its access to scavengers. For large slaughter houses, a suitable provision of Effuent Treatment Plant will be made.
- In case of small slaughter houses, waste material should be composted which can be used for manure purpose and in case of large slaughter houses, waste material should be rendered (cooked) in a rendering plant to produce meat, bone meal and inedible fats.
- Suitable and sufficient facilities shall be provided for the isolation of meat requiring further examination by the authorised veterinary officer in a suitable laboratory (within the premises of the slaughter house).
- Consistent with the size of the factory and volume and variety of meat food products manufactured, a laboratory shall be provided, equipped and staffed with qualified (chemist/analyst and Veterinary Microbiologist) and trained personnel. The licensing authority shall accord approval of the laboratory after inspection.
- The Chemist/analyst shall have passed graduation with Chemistry as one subject and the. Veterinary Microbiologist shall be a qualified veterinarian with two years of experience in Meat analysis or having degree of Master in Veterinary Public Health with specialization in Meat Hygiene.
- Adequate natural or artificial lighting should be provided throughout the abattoir/ meat processing unit. Where appropriate, the lighting should not alter colours and the intensity should not be less than 540 Lux (50 foot candles) at all inspection points, 220 Lux (20 foot candles) in work rooms and 110 Lux (10 foot candles) in other areas. Light bulbs and fixtures suspended over meat in any stage of production should be of safety type and protected to prevent contamination of meat in case of breakage. As far as possible meat inspection shall be carried out in day light. Every abattoir shall be provided with well distributed artificial light.
- Sanitary Practices
- Every part of the internal surface above the floor or pavement of such slaughter house shall be washed thoroughly with hot lime wash within the first 10 days of March, June, September and December. Every part of the floor or pavement of the slaughter house and every part of the internal surface of every wall on which any blood or liquid refuse or filth may have been spilt or splashed or with which any offensive or noxious matter have been brought into contact during the process of slaughtering, dressing and cutting, shall be thoroughly cleaned, washed with water, wiped/dried and disinfectant within three hours after the completion of slaughter.
- Rooms and compartments in which animals are slaughtered or any product is processed or prepared shall be kept sufficiently free from steam, vapours and moisture and obnoxious odours so as to ensure clean and hygienic operations. This will also apply to overhead structures in those rooms and compartments.
- All parts of the establishments / Slaughter Houses shall always be kept clean, adequately lighted and ventilated and shall be regularly cleaned, and disinfected. The floorings shall be impervious and washed daily. Lime washing, colour washing or painting as the case may be, shall be done at least once in every twelve months.
- All yards, outhouses, stores and all approaches to the establishments / Slaughter Houses shall always be kept clean and in a sanitary condition.
- Suitable and sufficient receptacles furnished with closely fitted covers shall be provided for collection and removal of all garbage, filth and refuse from the slaughter house at a convenient time to a place away from the factory for disposal.
- All blood , manure, garbage, filth or other refuse from any animal slaughtered and the hide, fat, viscera and offal there from, shall be removed from the slaughter house within 8 hours after the completion of the slaughtering and in such a manner and by such means as will not cause nuisance at the premises or elsewhere. Every such vessel or receptacle shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected immediately after use and shall be kept thoroughly clean when not in actual use.
- The inner side of the skin shall not be rubbed or caused to be rubbed upon the ground within any portion of the slaughter hall. Hides and skins shall not be dragged within the slaughter hall. No gut-scraping, tripe cleaning, manufacture or preparation of meat food products, household washing of clothes or work of any nature other than is involved in the slaughter and dressing of the carcass shall be permitted in any slaughter hall except in the adjuncts to the slaughter hall intended for these products and purposes.
- The premises shall be cleaned thoroughly with disinfectants, one day in advance of production of meat food products and the equipments shall be sterilized/sanitized before use. The rooms and compartments in which any meat food product is prepared or handled shall be free from dust and from odours emanating from dressing rooms, toilet rooms, catch basins, hide cellars, casing rooms and livestock pens.
- Every practicable precaution shall be taken to exclude flies, rats, mice and vermin from the establishments Slaughter Houses. The use of poisons for any purpose in rooms or compartments where any unpacked product is stored or handled is forbidden. The use of approved bait poisons in hide cellars, compartments where inedible products are stored, outhouses or similar buildings containing canned products is, however, not forbidden.
- It shall be ensured that dogs, cats or birds do not have access to the slaughter hall. Open areas in the factory shall have covered wire rope netting to prevent carrion birds from access to the slaughter hall or the factory.
- Water used in the establishments / Slaughter Houses shall be potable and suitable arrangements shall be made for ensuring potability of water if bore well water is used for production of meat and meat products. If required by the licensing authority, the water shall be got examined chemically and bacteriologic ally by a recognised laboratory. The water quality shall comply the standards prescribed by the licensing Authority.
- Warm meat’ meant for immediate sale need not be stored in cool conditions. It can be transported in a hygienic and sanitary condition in clean insulated containers with covers (lids) to the meat shops/selling units with precautions to ensure that no contamination/cross contamination or deterioration takes place.
- Equipment & Machinery
- The equipment and fittings in slaughter hall except for chopping blocks, cutting boards and brooms, shall be of such material and of such construction as to enable them to be kept clean. The implements shall be of metal or other cleanable and durable material resistant to corrosion.
- No vessel, container or other equipment, the use of which is likely to cause metallic contamination injurious to health shall be employed in the preparation, packing or storage of meat food products. (Copper or brass vessels shall always be heavily lined. No iron or galvanised iron shall come in contact with meat food products).
- Personnel Hygiene
- No person suffering from infectious or contagious diseases shall be allowed to work in the factory. Arrangements shall be made to get the factory staff medically examined at such intervals as the licensing authority deems fit, to ensure that they are free from infectious, contagious and other diseases. A record of these examinations signed by a registered medical practitioner shall be maintained for inspection.
- The staff shall be inoculated against the enteric group of diseases and a certificate thereof shall be kept for inspection.
- In case of an epidemic, all workers should be inoculated or vaccinated.
- The workers working in processing and preparation shall be provided with proper aprons and head wears which shall be clean. The management shall ensure that all workers are neat, clean and tidy.
- Animal WelfareAnimal welfare is a major concern in meat production. It is essential that animals be reared, handled, transported, and slaughtered using humane practices. A healthy and peaceful animal is an essential requirement for hygienic slaughter and safety of the meat product.Careful handling of animals during loading / unloading, transportation and at slaughtering helps in improving the quality of meat and reduction in losses in the value of the carcass/meat.
Pre Slaughter Handling of Animal
Livestock are transported en masse from the farm to the slaughterhouse, a process called “live export”. Depending on its length and circumstances, this exerts stress and injuries on the animals and some may die en route. Apart from being inhumane, unnecessary stress in transport may adversely affect the quality of the meat. In particular, the muscles of stressed animals are low in water and glycogen, and their pH fails to attain acidic values.
Transportation of Animals
Following requirements shall be satisfied for Transportation of Animals from a farm to the slaughter house.
- General Conditions
- Only healthy animals in good condition shall be transported unless they are meant for emergency slaughter. These animals should be certified by a qualified veterinary inspector for freedom from infectious diseases and ecto-parasitic diseases and their fitness to undertake the journey.
- When animals are to be transported from endemic areas of a disease to non-endemic areas, the animals should be given protective vaccination and kept in quarantine for 30 days, before transportation.
- Female animals in advanced stages of pregnancy shall not be transported.
- When transporting large animals particularly bears/bulls, special arrangements by providing suitable partitions should be made to protect the animals from infighting. Similar arrangements should also be made to protect the young ones from being crushed when they are transported.
- To avoid exhaustion, the animals shall be given humane treatment and care during transportation. The animals shall not be bound or chained during transit and space provided for them shall be large enough to stand or lie.
- attendant along with first aid equipment shall accompany the animals in transit.
- Before loading, the animals should not be fed heavily. Only light feed may be allowed. For journeys less than 12 hours no feed need be carried but for longer journeys sufficient feed shall be carried to last during the journey. Watering facilities shall be provided at regular intervals.
- Light and heavy animals shall be separated by providing partitions; animals from different pens/sheds shall not be mixed during transportation. Male stock shall not be transported with female stock (adults).
- All vehicles should be inspected for safety, suitability and cleanliness before loading the animals. The floor and walls should be undamaged and there should be no nails or sharp projections which may injure the animals.
- The Vehicles should be thoroughly sprayed with suitable disinfectant before loading the animals.
- A layer of clean sand to cover the floor to a thickness of not less than 6 cm shall be provided. This layer of sand shall be moistened with water during the summer months. During hot months arrangements shall be made to sprinkle water on the animals at frequent intervals. In winter, a 2-cm layer of clean sand with another 6-cm layer of whole-straw shall be provided.
- Animals when driven for loading or unloading shall never be struck with stick. Driving could best be done by soft-rubber pipe.
- If animals are to be transported in extreme cold or hot climate, it is preferable to transport them in covered Lorries on road so that they may not die or get exhausted or suffer from acute respiratory disease. Journey under such adverse climate shall be minimised.
- Each consignment should bear a label showing the following particulars:
- Number and kind of the animals loaded;
- Name, address and telephone number, if any, of the consignor;
- Name address and telephone number, if any, of the consignee;
- Instructions regarding feeding and watering.
- Loading
- Loading during extremes of temperatures shall be avoided.
- Suitable ramp shall be provided for loading and unloading the animals. The floor of the ramp shall have cleats at intervals, so that animals do not slip as they climb or descend. The ramp shall be covered with straw to avoid slipping. At any time of loading and unloading the vehicle shall be kept clean to avoid slipping of animals. Bale
- In case of railway wagons when loading is done on the platform, the door of the wagon may be used as ramp. In such cases, bales or bags of hay, agricultural wastes etc. may be placed on the either side of the dropped door to prevent the animals from getting their legs between the sides of the wagons and platform.
- Space Requirements
- Overcrowding shall be avoided. Each animal shall have enough space to lie down
- Railway wagons shall not accommodate more animals than those specified in IS specifications.
- The speed of truck transporting animals shall not exceed 40 kilometres per hour, avoiding jerks and jolts. The truck shall not load any other merchandise and shall avoid unnecessary stops on the road.
- For journeys, exceeding 12 hours, the animals shall be transported by railway. Loading shall be done by evening.
- Slaughter
Animals are slaughtered by being first stunned and then exsanguinated (bled out). Stunning can be effected through asphyxiating the animals with carbon dioxide, shooting them with a gun or a captive bolt pistol, or shocking them with electric current.- Stunning
Stunning before slaughter should be mandatory. By inducing unconsciousness and insensibility, stunning can avoid and minimise reactions of fear and anxiety as well as pain, suffering and distress among the animals concerned. Stunning methods induce temporary loss of consciousness and rely on prompt and accurate sticking procedures to cause death.
It is important that the equipment utilized for stunning and slaughter is maintained in good working condition and that all operators involved are well trained and have a positive attitude towards the welfare of animals.
Electrical stunning consists of passing electricity through the brain to produce instantaneous insensibility.
The following method of slaughter shall be considered humane:—- Mechanical stunning of cattle may be carried out by one of three methods; captive bolt stunning, mushroom head percussive stunning and pneumatic percussive stunning. For cattle, pneumatic stunning should be preferred and the optimum position is that the centre of the stunner should contact the animal at a point of intersection of lines drawn from the medial corners of the eyes and the base of the ears. The best position for pigs is on the midline just above eye level, with the host directed down the line of the spinal cord. The optimum position for sheep and goat is behind the poll, aiming towards the angle of the jaw. If an animal shows signs of regaining consciousness after the initial stun, the animal must be immediately killed by the use of a captive bolt gun.
- Electrical stunning – Electrical Head Stunners may be preferred for sheep and goat where both electrodes are placed on the head region. Water bath electrical stunning may be used for poultry birds. A low and controlled voltage must be maintained so that the stunning will not damage the heart and brain or cause physical disability and death to the animals. The minimum current level recommended for stunning are indicated in the table below.
Species Minimum current levels for head-only stunning Cattle 1.5 Amps Calves (bovines of less than 6 month of age) 1.0 Amps Pigs 1.25 Amps Sheep and goats 1.0 Amps Lambs 0.7 Amps Broilers 100 milli Amps Turkeys 150 milli Amps - Gas stunning – Stunning of pigs by exposure to carbon dioxide (CO2) may be preferred. The concentration of CO2 should be 90% by volume but shall not be less than 80% by volume. Ideally pigs should be exposed for 3 minutes. Sticking should be done immediately after exit from the gas chamber. Over-crowding of animals should be avoided in the gas chamber.
- Stunning
- Precaution for animal Welfare
- The floor of the slaughter area should not cause slipping or falling of animals.
- Vocalization is an indicator of animal discomfort and need to be watched for.
- Use of electric pods for moving animal should be discouraged. Movement of animals can be managed by grouping, use of plastic wrapped sticks etc.
- Pen stocking density should be monitored. All animals should have room to lie down simultaneously. The condition of animals arriving for slaughter should be closely monitored so that injured, diseased animals are not slaughtered.
- High pitch sounds such as whistling and yelling should be avoided to spare distress to animals
The following factors have been identified as critical to animal welfare- supervision and training of employees
- Designing of animal transport cart and unloading bay
- Proper construction of holding/resting pen, stunning box, maintenance of stunning equipment, restraining systems, gates and other animal handling equipment.
- Avoiding distractions that make animals refuse to move.
- Monitoring the condition of animals arriving at the plant. (f) Proper design of equipment in the slaughter house.
Keeping this in view, the following need to be observed to ensure humane treatment of animals brought for slaughter:—
- Pre-slaughter handling of animal should be carefully done to reduce stress. Resting of the animals is essential. Only animals which are disease free and in a condition to walk should be brought for slaughter.
- Distractions that impede animal movements such as, reflections, air blowing towards animals and movement or high pitch noise, need to be avoided. Herding of animals should not be done through electric prods but with the help of plastic bags or sticks.
- A high standard of training is required for employees to ensure that the basic hygiene and safety practices are followed while handling animals.
- Equipment which is used for slaughter such as captive bolt stunner, gates, hooks etc should be kept in good working condition and cleanliness of floors etc. needs to be ensured. There should be daily check to ensure the smooth working of equipment and cleanliness of floors.
- The condition of the animals arriving at the plant should be monitored. Animals which are injured or not in a condition to walk should not be slaughtered.
- Inspecting personnel should pay particular attention to these points to ensure reasonable standards of animal welfare.
- Poultry welfare
Welfare programme
The conditions under which broilers are housed and the way that they are managed during their growing phase, transportation and slaughter are set down in several government/industry endorsed Model Codes of Practice designed to safeguard their welfare.
A model welfare program needs to be developed for pick-up, transport and broiler/chicken processing sectors. Processing unit shall incorporate elements of this welfare audit in their own quality plans and manuals.
A Model programme shall envisage following:
Poultry Suppliers and processors must have a documented program for poultry welfare envisaging following;- Catching: Poultry intended for slaughter plant should be clean and in good health. Every reasonable precaution should be taken to minimize injury to poultry. The catcher needs to be trained to this effect.
- Transport: For transport of poultry crates shall be in good repair. There shall be no crate/cage damage that would allow injury to poultry or allow crates to accidentally open. Transport crates should not be over-filled and enough space should be provided to allow all poultry to lie down.
- Holding: Poultry held in storage sheds should be provided adequate ventilation and climate control such as fans or curtains.
- Stunning: Stunning equipment should be properly maintained to confirm that poultry are insensible prior to slaughter, and the time between stunning and slaughter should be limited to minimize any likelihood that poultry may regain consciousness prior to slaughter.
Economic performance and welfare
High standards of poultry welfare and high levels of flock performance and economic performance are not incompatible – quite the contrary, they go hand in hand. It simply makes good economic sense as well as being in the poultry’s best interests to ensure that flocks are maintained in an environment, in which they are thermally comfortable, protected from injury, fed optimally and kept healthy. Therefore, all measures described elsewhere to ensure that chickens are kept in conditions which optimize their comfort (in terms of temperature, humidity, air flow and air quality), in which they are provided with water, shelter, and a high quality diet that matches their physiological needs, and which optimize their health have just as important effect in terms of poultry welfare as they do on the overall efficiency of the farming operation.
Poultry health and welfare:
When producing chicken meat in a welfare-friendly manner it is also important that the poultry receive prompt and appropriate medication and treatment to prevent and treat diseases if this should become necessary, and that they do not suffer any unnecessary pain, distress, fear or physical injury. It is also important that sick or injured poultry that cannot be adequately or successfully treated are culled quickly and in a humane manner so that they do not suffer.
Humane slaughter (poultry):While the chickens are reared specifically for human consumption and they therefore at some stage have to be slaughtered, they should be slaughtered in a humane manner, and all poultry should be stunned (rendered insensible to pain) prior to slaughter.
Slaughter equipment at all supply facilities should be properly maintained to confirm that the poultry are slaughtered quickly.
- Ante-mortem inspection
- All animals shall be rested before slaughter and shall be subjected to ante-mortem examination and inspection well in advance of the time of slaughter.
- No animal which has been received into a slaughter hall for the purpose of being slaughtered shall be removed from the slaughter hall before being slaughtered except with the written consent of the Qualified Veterinary Doctor. An animal which, on inspection is found to be not fit for slaughter shall be marked as “suspect” and kept separately. Each such animal shall be marked as “suspect” only by or under the personal supervision of the Qualified Veterinary Doctor and the marking shall not be removed or obliterated except by the Qualified Veterinary Doctor himself.
- An animal showing signs of any disease at the time of ante-mortem inspection that would cause its carcass being ultimately condemned on post-mortem shall be marked as “condemned” and rejected.
- An animal declared as “suspect” on ante-mortem inspection but which does not plainly show any disease or condition that would cause its entire carcass to be condemned shall maintain its identity as “suspect” until its carcass and all organs are finally inspected by the Qualified Veterinary Doctor.
- No animal in a febrile condition shall be permitted for slaughter. No suspect animal shall be slaughtered until all other animals intended for slaughter on the same day have been slaughtered. All animals which, on ante-mortem inspection, show symptoms of railroad sickness, parturient paresis, rabies, tetanus or any other communicable diseases shall be marked as “condemned” and disposed of in accordance with the provisions contained in sub paragraph (8) below.
- Animals presented for slaughter and found in a dying condition on the premises of a factory due to recent disease shall be marked as “condemned” and disposed of as provided for “condemned” animals.
- Every animal which, upon examination, is found to show symptoms of or is suspected of being diseased or animals declared as “suspect” shall at once be removed for treatment to such special pen and kept there for observation for such period as may be considered necessary to ascertain whether the animal is diseased or not.
- All animals declared as “condemned” on ante-mortem inspection shall be marked as “condemned” and killed if not already dead. Such carcasses shall not be taken into the factory to be slaughtered or dressed, nor shall they be conveyed into any department of the factory used for edible products.
- Post-mortem inspection
- A careful and detailed post-mortem examination and inspection of the carcasses and parts thereof of all animals slaughtered shall be made soon after slaughter. All organs and parts of the carcasses and blood to be used in the preparation of meat food products shall be held in such a manner as to preserve their identity till the completion of the post-mortem inspection so that they can be identified in the event of the carcasses being condemned.
- Every carcass including all detached parts and organs thereof which show evidence of any condition which will render the meat or any part or organ unfit for human consumption and which for that reason may require subsequent inspection, shall be retained by the Qualified Veterinary Doctor. The identity of such carcass including the detached parts and organs thereof shall be maintained until the final inspection is completed. Retained carcasses, detached parts and organs thereof shall be maintained until the final inspection is completed. Retained carcasses, detached parts and organs thereof shall in no case be washed, trimmed or mutilated in any manner unless otherwise authorized by the Qualified Veterinary Doctor.
- No air shall be blown by mouth into the tissues of any carcass or part of a carcass.
- Every carcass or part thereof which has been found to be unfit for human consumption shall be marked by the Qualified Veterinary Doctor as “Inspected and condemned”.
- All such condemned carcasses, parts and organs thereof shall remain in the custody of the Qualified Veterinary Doctor pending disposal at or before the close of the day on which they are marked “Inspected and condemned” in accordance with sub-paragraphs (11),(12) and (13) below.
- Carcasses, parts and the organs thereof found to be sound, wholesome, healthful and fit for human consumption shall be marked as “Inspected and passed”.
- Carcasses found affected with anthrax before evisceration shall not be eviscerated but condemned and disposed of immediately in accordance with sub-paragraph (12) below. Any part of a carcass contaminated with anthrax infected material through contact with soiled instruments or otherwise shall be immediately condemned and disposed of as provided in sub-paragraph (12) below.
- The portion of the slaughtering department including equipment, employees’ boots and aprons, etc., contaminated by contact with anthrax material shall be cleaned and thoroughly disinfected immediately.
- When on inspection only a portion of a carcass on account of slight bruises is decided to be condemned, either the bruised portion shall be removed immediately and disposed of in accordance with sub-paragraph (13) below or the carcass shall be retained and kept till such time it is chilled and the bruised portion removed and disposed of as provided above.
- Post-mortem inspection shall be a detailed one and shall cover all parts of the carcass, the viscera, lymph glands and all organs and glands.
- The post-mortem inspection shall be in accordance with the general rules laid down for such inspection in public slaughter houses under the control of local bodies besides special instructions that may be issued from time to time by the licensing authority.
- All condemned carcasses, organs or parts thereof shall be completely destroyed in the presence of the Qualified Veterinary Doctor by incineration or denatured, after being slashed freely with a knife, with crude carbolic acid, cresylic-disinfectant or any other prescribed agent unless such carcasses, organs or parts thereof are sterilized for the preparation of bone-cum-meat meal before leaving the slaughter house premises, subject to sub-paragraph (13) below.
- Carcasses, organs or parts thereof condemned on account of anthrax shall be disposed of either by (i) complete incineration or (ii) thorough denaturing with prescribed denaturant in the manner prescribed in the foregoing paragraphs and also in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the local authority.
- Destruction of condemned carcasses, organs or parts thereof shall be carried out under the direct supervision of the Qualified Veterinary Doctor.
- If in the opinion of the Qualified Veterinary Doctor a carcass, organ or part thereof is to be held back for further detailed examination, the carcass, organ or part concerned shall not be released till the examination in detail is completed by the Qualified Veterinary Doctor and it is declared thereafter by him as fit. When it is to be detained for detailed examination, the carcass, organ or part thereof shall be marked as “Held”. If on subsequent inspection, the carcass, organ or part thereof is found to be unwholesome and unfit for human food, the Qualified Veterinary Doctor shall mark such a carcass, organ or part thereof as “condemned” and shall dispose it of as described in the foregoing paragraphs.
- Sanitary and Hygienic Requirements for Meat processing units
Following Sanitary and Hygienic requirements shall be satisfied by the meat processing unit.- Location
- Meat processing unit should be located in areas not subjected to regular and frequent flooding and free from objectionable odours, smoke dust and other contaminants;
- Roadways and areas serving the meat processing unit which are within its boundaries or in its immediate vicinity should have a hard paved surface suitable for wheeled traffic. There should be adequate drainage and provision for cleaning;
- appropriate, meat processing unit should be so designed that access can be controlled.
- Building and Facilities
- The meat processing unit should provide adequate working space for the satisfactory performance of all operations.
- The construction should be sound and ensure adequate ventilation, good natural or artificial lighting and easy cleaning.
- The meat processing unit should be laid out and equipped so as to facilitate proper supervision of meat hygiene including performance of inspection and control;
- The meat processing unit should be of such construction as to protect against the entrance and harbouring of insects, birds, rodents or other vermin as well as the entry of environmental contaminants such as smoke, dust etc.
- Buildings and facilities should be designed to provide separation by partition, location or other effective means, between those operations which may cause cross-contamination;
- Meat processing unit should be laid out and equipped so as to ensure, that edible meat does not come into contact with floors, walls or other fixed structures, except those which are specifically designed for contact with meat;
- The construction and lay out of any chilling room, freezing room, freezer store or freezer should satisfy the requirements of these rules;
- In meat handling areas
- Floors should be of waterproof, non-absorbent, washable non-slippery and made of nontoxic materials, without crevices and should be easy to clean and slope sufficiently for liquids to drain to trapped outlets;
- Walls should be of waterproof, non-absorbent, washable and nontoxic materials and should be light coloured. Up to a height of at least 1.5 metres, they should be smooth and without crevices, and should be easy to clean , space between walls and ceilings should be sealed and covered to facilitate cleaning;
- Ceilings should be so designed, constructed and finished as to prevent any accumulation of dirt and minimize condensation, mould development and flaking and should be easy to clean;
- Windows and other openings should be so constructed as to avoid accumulation of dirt and those which open should be fitted with insect screen. Screens should be easily movable for cleaning and kept in good repair. Internal window sills, if present, should be sloped to prevent use as shelves;
- Doors should have smooth, non-absorbent surfaces and where appropriate, be self-closing and close fitting; and
- Stairs, lift cages and auxiliary structures such as platforms, ladders, chutes, should be so situated and constructed as not to cause contamination of meat. They should be capable of being effectively cleaned. Chutes should be constructed with inspection and cleaning hatches;
- The use of construction materials which cannot be adequately cleaned and disinfected such as wood, should be avoided unless its use would clearly not be a source of contamination, and
- Office accommodation should be provided for the use of the meat inspection agency
- Location
- Sanitary Facilities
- Water Supply
- Supply of potable water under pressure should be available with facilities for its storage, where necessary for distribution, and with protection against contamination;
- An supply of hot potable water should be available at all times during working hours;Note – This provision is intended to cover water for both cleaning purposes and the destruction of microorganisms (especially those pathogenic to man) on knives, utensils etc., and coming into direct contact with meat. For cleaning purposes the temperature of the water should be 65 degree Celsius. The hot water for disinfection purposes should be at 82 degree Celsius and dispensed in such a way (e.g. in specially designed boxes near the working area) that blades of knives etc., can be submerged in the water for a contact time (no less than two minutes). Often this water supply is separate from other hot water supplies used for cleaning, hand washing etc. But if there is only one hot water supply the term “adequate” should mean that even at times where large amounts of hot water is used (e.g. during cleaning operations) the water supply from any tap in the establishment should not be decreased;
- Ice should be made from potable water and should be manufactured, handled and stored so as to protect it from contamination; and
- Steam used in contact directly with meat should be produced from potable water and contain no substances which may be hazardous to health or may contaminate the food.
- Effluent and Waste Disposal – Meat processing unit should have an efficient effluent and waste disposal system. All effluent lines (including sewer systems) should be large enough to carry peak loads and should be constructed in such a manner as to avoid contamination of potable water supplies. Biological oxygen demand level shall be less than 1500, and for that an effluent treatment plant, if necessary may be installed.
- Facilities for Storage of Waste and Inedible Material. – Facilities should be provided for the storage of waste and inedible material prior to removal from the establishment. These facilities should be designed to prevent access to waste or inedible material by pests and to avoid contamination of food, potable water and equipment or building.
- Changing Facilities and Toilets.- Suitable and conveniently located changing facilities and toilets should be provided in all establishments. Toilets should be so designed as to ensure hygienic removal of waste matter. These areas should be well lit and ventilated and should not open directly on to food handling areas. Hand washing facilities with warm or hot and cold water with suitable hygienic means of drying hands should be provided adjacent to toilets and in such a position that the employee must pass them when returning to the processing area. Where hot and cold water are available, mixing taps should be provided. Where paper towels are used, a sufficient number of dispensers and receptacles should be provided near to each washing facility. Taps of non-hand operable type are preferable. Notices should be posted directing personnel to wash their hands after using the toilets.
- Hand Washing Facilities in Processing Areas:
- Adequate and conveniently located facilities for hand washing and drying should be provided wherever the process demands. Where appropriate, facilities for hand disinfection should be provided. The facilities should be furnished with properly trapped waste pipes leading to drains.
- All rooms used for deboning, preparing, packing or other handling of meat should be equipped with adequate facilities for cleaning and disinfecting implements, conveniently located for the use of personnel during operations. These facilities are for use exclusively in the cleaning and disinfection of knives, steels, cleavers, saws and other implements.
- All facilities for cleaning and disinfecting implements should be of such nature and sizes as to permit proper cleaning and disinfection of implements . These facilities should be constructed of corrosion – resistant materials and should be capable of being easily cleaned.
- All facilities for cleaning and disinfecting of implements should be fitted with suitable means of supplying hot water in sufficient quantity at all times while meat is being handled in that part of the Meat Processing Unit.
- Lighting – Adequate natural or artificial lighting should be provided throughout the meat processing unit. Where appropriate, the lighting should not alter colours and the intensity should not be less than
540 Lux (50 foot candles) at all inspection points.
220 Lux (20 foot candles) in work rooms.
110 Lux (10 foot candles) in other areas.
Light bulbs and fixtures suspended over meat in any stage of production should be of a safety type and protected to prevent contamination of meat in case of breakage.
- Ventilation – Ventilation should be provided to prevent excessive heat, steam condensation, dust and to remove contaminated air. The direction of the air flow should never be from a dirty area to clean area. Ventilation openings should be provided with an insect screen or other protective enclosure of non-corrodible material. Screens should be easily removable for cleaning.
- Water Supply
- Equipment and Utensils
- Materials – All equipments, implements and utensils used in establishments which come into contact with exposed meat and meat products should present a smooth impervious surface and be resistant to corrosion and should be made of material which is non-toxic, does not transmit odour or taste, is free from pits and crevices, is non-absorbent and capable of withstanding repeated exposure to normal cleaning and disinfection. Such equipment should be so constructed that they may be easily cleaned.
- Sanitary Design, Construction and Installation
- All equipments and utensils should be so designed and constructed as to prevent hygiene hazards and permits easy and thorough cleaning and disinfection and where practicable be visible for inspection. Stationary equipment should be installed in such a manner as to permit easy access and thorough cleaning.
- Containers for inedible material and waste should be leak proof, constructed of non-corrosive metal or other suitable impervious materials which should be easy to clean or disposable and where appropriate, able to be closed securely; and
- refrigerated spaces should be equipped with temperature measurement or recording devices.
- Equipment Identification – Equipment and utensils used for inedible material or waste should be so identified and should not be used for edible products.
- Hygiene Requirements
- Maintenance. The buildings, rooms, equipment and all other physical facilities of the meat processing unit, including drains, should be maintained in good repair and in orderly condition. Except for rooms where meat processing or cleaning operations are performed, they should be free from steam, vapour and surplus water.
- Cleaning and Disinfection – Cleaning and disinfection should meet the following requirements :
- Amenities provided for the use of employee and the inspection service including changing facilities, toilets and the inspection office space should be kept clean at all times.
- If rooms, intended and most of the time used for the handling, preparation, processing, packaging on storage of meat, are used for any other food preparation purposes, then cleaning and disinfection are necessary immediately before and after such use.
- The temperature in rooms for boning out and trimming should be controlled and held suitably low, unless cleaning of equipment and utensils are carried out at least every four hours;
- To prevent contamination of meat, all equipments, implements, tables, utensils including knives, cleaves, knife pouches, saws, mechanical instruments and containers should be cleaned at frequent intervals during the day and immediately cleaned and disinfected whenever they come into contact with diseased material, infective material or otherwise become contaminated. They shall also be cleaned and disinfected at the conclusion of each working day.
- If any skip or trolley or any container used in a department where edible material is handled, enters an area where inedible material is handled it should be cleaned and disinfected immediately before re-entering the edible department.
- Immediately after the cessation of work for the day or at such other times as may be required, the floors and wails should be cleaned to remove contamination. Floor drains should be kept in good condition and repair with strainers in place; and
- Roadways and yards in the immediate vicinity of and serving the meat processing unit should be kept clean.
- Hygiene Control Programme.-It is desirable that each meat processing unit in its own interest designates a single individual whose duties are diverted from production, to be held responsible for the cleanliness of the meat processing unit. His staff should be a permanent part of the organisation or employed by the organisation and should be well trained in the use of special cleaning tools, methods of dismantling the equipment for cleaning and in the significance of contamination and the hazards involved. A permanent cleaning and disinfection schedule should be drawn up to ensure that all parts of the meat processing unit are cleaned appropriately and that critical areas, equipment and material and designed for cleaning and/or disinfection daily or more frequently if required.
- Storage and Disposal of Waste – Waste material should be handled in such a manner so as to exclude contamination of food or potable water. Precautions should be taken to prevent access to waste by pests. Waste should be removed from the meat handling and other working areas at intervals and at least daily. Immediately after disposal of the waste, receptacles used for storage and any equipment which has come into contact with the taste should be cleaned and disinfected. At least daily the waste storage area should also be cleaned and disinfected.
- Pest Control
- There should be an effective and continuous programme for the control of insects, birds, rodents or other vermin. Meat processing unit and surrounding areas should be regularly examined for evidence of infestation.
- Should pests gain entrance to the meat processing unit or surrounding areas, eradication measures should be instituted. Control measures involving treatment with physical or chemical or biological agents should only be undertaken by or under direct supervision of personnel who have a thorough understanding of the potential hazards to health resulting from the use of these agents, including those which may arise from residues retained in the product. Such measures should be carried out in accordance with the recommendation of the official agency having jurisdiction and with the full knowledge of its inspector, and
- Pesticides should only be employed if other precautionary methods cannot be used effectively. Only pesticides approved for use in the meat processing unit by competent authority should be used and the greatest care should be exercised to prevent any contamination of the meat equipment or utensils. Before pesticides are applied all meat should be removed from the room and all equipment and utensils should be thoroughly washed prior to being used again.
- Handling and Storage of Hazardous substances – Pesticides or other substance which may represent a hazard should be labelled with a warning about their toxicity and use. Except as required for purpose of hygiene such substance which may contaminate meat packing material and ingredients should be handled and stored in a part of the meat processing unit which is not used for preparation, processing, handling, packing or storage of meat. They should be handled and dispensed only by authorised and properly trained personnel. Extreme care should be taken to avoid contamination of meat. However, materials employed in the construction and maintenance of an establishment may be used at any time with the approval of Food Safety Officer.
- Personal Effects and Clothing : – Personal effects and clothing should not be deposited in meat handling areas.
- Maintenance Tools – Cleaning and maintenance tools and products should not be stored in meat handling area.
- Personnel Hygiene and Health Requirements
- Medical examination – Persons who come into contact with meat in the course of their work should have a medical examination prior to their employment. Medical examination of a meat handler shall be carried out routinely and when clinically or epidemiologically indicated, at least once in 12 months.
- Communicable Diseases – The management should take care to ensure that no person, while known or suspected to be suffering from, or to be a carrier of a disease likely to be transmitted through meat or while afflicted with infected wounds, skin infections, sores or with diarrhoea, is permitted to work in any area in any capacity in which there is any likelihood of such a person directly or indirectly contaminating meat with pathogenic microorganisms. Any person so affected should immediately report to the management that he is ill.
- Injuries – Any person who is cut or injured should discontinue working with meat and until he is suitably bandaged should not be engaged in any meat processing unit in the preparation, handling, packing or transportation of meat. No person working in any meat processing unit should wear exposed bandage unless the bandage is completely protected by a water proof covering which is conspicuous in colour and is of such a nature that it cannot become accidentally detached. first aid facilities should be provided for this purpose.
- Washing of Hands : Every person engaged in a meat handling area should wash his hands frequently and thoroughly with a suitable hand cleaning preparation under running potable water while on duty. Hands should always be washed before commencing work, immediately after using the toilets, after handling contaminated material and whenever else necessary. After handling diseased or suspect materials hands should be washed and disinfected immediately. Notices requiring hand-washing should be displayed.
- Personnel Cleanliness
- Every person engaged in an area in meat processing unit where meat is handled should maintain a high degree of personnel cleanliness while on duty, and should at all times while so engaged wear suitable protective clothing including head covering and foot wear, all of which should be washed unless designed to be disposed and which should be maintained in a clean condition consistent with the nature of the work in which the person is engaged.
- Aprons and similar items should not be washed on the floor; and
- Such items should not be left on equipment in the working area
- Personal Behavior : Any behavior which can potentially contaminate the meat such as eating, use of tobacco, chewing, spitting, should be prohibited in any part of meat processing unit used for the preparation, handling, packaging or transportation of meat.
- Visitors: Every person who visits an area in any meat processing unit where meat is handled should wear clean protective clothing and head cover.
- Sanitary &Hygienic Requirements for the Retail Meat Shops
- For ensuring the hygiene and safety of meat being sold at retail meat shops, the following requirements should be followed under the supervision of the qualified Veterinary staff.
- Location of Meat Shop
- The meat shop / sale outlet should preferably be a unit of meat market located away from Vegetable, fish or other food markets and shall be free from undesirable odour, smoke, dust or other contaminants. Wherever a meat market is not available, individual meat shop can be set up considering the above factors, which have a direct bearing on the hygiene conditions of the premises and health of consumers.
- The minimum distance between the licensed meat shop and any place of worship should not be less than 50 meters;
- The condition of 100 meters distance will apply in case the premises situated directly opposite to the entry gate of religious place of any community.
- All the meat shops located in the vicinity of religious places shall be fitted with black glass doors, which must be kept closed all times except in case of entry or exit. It must be the responsibility of the meat shop owners to maintain a high standard of hygiene not only inside the shops, but also in the way leading to the shops road pavements or other adjoining place, particularly for insanitary materials originating from the meat business for example, blood, part of offal, meat scraps etc.
- The meat shop / sale outlet should preferably be a unit of meat market located away from Vegetable, fish or other food markets and shall be free from undesirable odour, smoke, dust or other contaminants. Wherever a meat market is not available, individual meat shop can be set up considering the above factors, which have a direct bearing on the hygiene conditions of the premises and health of consumers.
- Size of Meat Shops
- Considering the constraints of commercial space in residential areas in concerned Panchayats / Municipalities the size of meat shops may vary according to the size of business and activities being carried out there in the meat shops.
- The height of shop in all above categories of meat shops should be not less than 3 meters, while in case of air-conditioned meat shops, it should not be less than 2.5 meters.
- Premises
- The premises shall be structurally sound. The walls up to the height of minimum 5 feet from the floor level shall be made of impervious concrete material (e.g. glazed tiles or hygienic panels, etc.) for easy washing and cleaning purposes.
- The floor should be made of impervious and non-slippery materials with a slope for easy cleaning and removal of filth, waste and dirty water. The slope of the floor shall not be less than 5 cm. for a floor of 3 meters.
- All the fittings in the stall should be of non-corroding and non-rusting type.
- All processing tables, racks, shelves, boards, etc. shall have zinc/aluminium/stainless steel/marble-granite top to facilitate proper cleaning.
- A sign board indicating the type of meat sold shall be displayed prominently. Nothing else but meat should be sold at the premises.
- The premises should have provision of sewer connection for drainage of wastewater.
- There should be provision of continuous supply of potable water inside the premises. In case the water supply is from bore well the arrangement for softening of water for making the same potable shall be made in the premises and intermittent store arrangement should be made.
- The door of the shop should be of self-closing type. The door of the shop should be of dark glass top and be kept closed. No carcasses should be kept in a manner so as to be seen by the public from outside.
- Ventilation
- The meat shop should be ventilated with facility of cross ventilation and may be provided with at-least one electric fan and one exhaust fan.
- The rails and hanging hooks, if provided for hanging carcasses, should be of non-corrosive metal. The non-corrosive hanging hooks for carcasses shall be 30 cm. apart and the distance between rails shall be 60 to 70 cm. depending upon the size of animals slaughtered and carcasses hanged.
- Equipment and Accessories
- The meat shop should have suitable arrangement for fly proofing in the form of air-curtains, flytraps, etc.
- It should have display cabinet type refrigerator of size for maintaining a temperature of 4 to 8 degrees C. or freezing cabinet if the meat is to be stored for more than 48 hours.
- The weighing scales used shall be of a type which obviates unnecessary handling and contamination and the plate sketch of the scale shall be made of stainless steel or nickel coated
- The knives, tools and hooks used shall be made of stainless steel. Sufficient cupboards or racks should be for storing knives, hooks, clothes and other equipments.
- There should be a provision of geysers in all the meat shops to have hot water at a temperature not less than 82 degree C to clean the premises and equipment used in meat shop.
- Washbasin made of stainless steel / porcelain shall be provided with liquid soap dispenser or other soap and nail brush for thorough cleaning of hands
- The chopping block should be of food-grade synthetic material, which does not contaminate the meat. If the block is of wooden it should be of hardwood trunk, which is solid enough and should not contaminate the meat.
- A waste bin with a pedal operated cover shall be provided in the premises for collection of waste material.
- Transportation
- The transportation of carcasses from the slaughter house to the premises shall be done under hygienic conditions in boxes of adequate size linked with zinc/aluminium/stainless steel or wire gauze meat safes, which must be washed daily.
- The transportation of carcasses from the slaughter house to the meat shops should be done in insulated refrigerated vans. Under no circumstances, carcasses will be transported in vehicles used for commuting of human beings, or in an exposed condition.
- Pest Control
- The meat shop should have an effective and continuous programme for control of insects, rodents or other vermin within the premises. The surrounding area of the shop should also be free from insects, birds, rodents and other vermin.
- The pest control measures adopted by the owner of shop should be kept as a record in the premises to be shown to any officer of the concerned Panchayats / Municipalities responsible for local administration/Corporation at the time of inspection.
- Chlorinated hydrocarbons, organo-phosphorus compounds and synthetic perithroids, rodenticides etc should neither be used as pesticide nor shall be stored at the meat shop.
- No live animals or birds should be allowed inside or adjacent to the meat shops.
- Location of Meat Shop
- Personnel Hygiene
- Every person employed for meat handling at the meat shop shall be medically examined annually by a authorized registered medical practitioner and examination shall include examination of sputum and x-ray of the chest for tuberculosis. The medical examination shall also include examination of stool for protozoal and helminthic infestations for those parasites, which are transmitted by ingestion, and also for the presence of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella spieces and Vibrio cholera.
- A certificate / records of medical fitness of all workers handling meat should be kept as a record in the premises to be shown to any officer of the concerned Panchayats / Municipalities responsible for local administration / Corporation at the time of inspection.
- No worker suspected to be suffering from fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, typhoid, dysentery or boils, cuts and sores and ulcers (however small) shall be permitted to work in the meat shops.
- All the workers of the meat shop shall keep their finger nails short and clean and wash their hands with soap or detergent and hot water before commencement of work and after each absence, especially after using sanitary conveniences.
- Eating, spitting, nose cleaning or the use of tobacco in any form or chewing betel leaves shall be prohibited within the premises of meat shop processing, packing and storage area of the unit. “No smoking “and “No Spitting “boards shall be prominently displayed in the shop.
- Sanitary Practices
- The chopping block should be sanitized daily by covering its top with sea-salt, after cleaning it with hot water at close of business activity.
- The floor should be washed with appropriate disinfectant / detergent / sanitizer at the start and close of the business each working day.
- There should be high standard of cleanliness and tidiness in the working area of shop with no organic or other material lying on the floor.
- The refrigerated / freezing cabinet should be regularly cleaned and well maintained.
- Slaughtering of animal / birds inside the shop premises should be strictly prohibited.
- The carcasses shall not be allowed to be covered with wet-clothes.
- Wholesome meat obtained from the authorized slaughter house shall only be sold at the meat shops and a record thereof shall be kept in the premises to be shown to any officer of the concerned Panchayats / Municipalities responsible for local administration Corporation at the time of inspection.
- Waste bins should be emptied, transported for disposal as per the arrangements made by the concerned Panchayats / Municipalities and waste bin / dhalau ( burial pits) shall be treated daily with a disinfectant.
- The premises shall not be used for residential purposes nor it shall communicate with any residential quarter. No personal belonging like clothing, bedding, shoes etc. shall be kept in the premises. Only dressed carcasses of clean meat shall be stored at the premises.
- Hides, skins, hoofs, heads and unclean gut will not be allowed to be stored in the premises at any time.
- The chopping instruments should be cleaned with hot water at a temperature of 82 degree C.
- The preparation of food of any type inside the meat sale outlet should be strictly prohibited.
- The meat obtained from unauthorized sources or unstamped meat is liable to be confiscated and destroyed
- Waste of the meat shop to be disposed of packed in heavy polythene bags in dhalaos (burial pits).
- Other Requirements
- The prepared meat shall be packed in waxed paper and then placed in polyethylene bags or packed directly in bags made of food grade plastics.
- Failure to comply with any of these instructions may entail legal action against the defaulters, and even result in cancellation of license by the appropriate authority of the concerned Panchayats/Municipalities/Corporation.
- No Objection Certificate from law and order point of view to be obtained from police department or the concerned Panchayats/Municipalities/Corporation before grant of license for buffalo meat and pork shop.
- The concerned Panchayats/Municipalities responsible for local administration in the country shall appoint qualified Veterinary staff for the meat inspection (Ante mortem and Post mortem inspection) or if regular staff cannot be made available or deployed for the purpose shall make contractual arrangements for availing the services of qualified Veterinary staff for meat inspection available with the Animal Husbandry Depts. of the concerned state/UT in the country.
- Retail meat shop license shall be granted subject to fulfillment of all the above technical and administrative instructions in relation to the trade.
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