MLBA 9: April / May 2009

 

 

 

 

Too many times, consumers take things for granted about their food products. Meat inspection and grading are those activities related to meat products that are important in assuring the best product in the world for the consumer.

 

Meat inspection and grading are those activities related to meat products that are important in assuring the best product in the world for the consumer.

 

Meat inspection assures the con­sumer that the meat and poultry prod­ucts are clean, safe and wholesome for human consumption at the time of purchase. This involves inspection of the live animal, carcass, internal organs, plant facilities, equipment, personnel and transportation system.

 

Grading is a voluntary program that segregates meat products on the basis of their expected palatability or yield attributes.

 

Both state and federal inspection programs are basically the same. The difference relates to limitations of sales and distribution on the state in­spected operation and to who admin­isters the services.

 

First, the Federal Meat and Poultry Inspection Program is administered by the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The organizational structure of FSIS consists of a slaughter inspection division, a processed meat inspection division, technical services, and a compliance and evaluation staff. Each division has defined responsibilities in monitoring meat and poultry products for wholesomeness and labeling ac­curacy.

 

Meat inspectors are divided into two classes: (1) veterinary inspectors and (2) lay inspectors. The veterinary inspectors are college trained veteri­narians, while the lay inspectors are individuals who have training and experience in handling meat. The lay inspectors are under the direction of a veterinary inspector.

 

The same organizational structure exists in a state inspection program. The cost of operating the inspection division is budgeted through state appropriations. The State Inspection Program is subject to a Federal review to certify that it is equal to federal inspection.