V.MFS.0004 - Guideline and journal paper for Meat Hygiene assessment 3 (Product Monitoring)

Summary

This project has delivered a journal article titled 'Microbiological quality of Australian beef, sheep and pork carcases, cuts and offals', which presents the data from carcases, bulk meat, primals and offal from twelve export establishments (beef, sheep and pork) which participated in an industry trial (AMPC 2018.1070). A total of 27,157 microbial results were analysed to give a snapshot of the status of the Australian meat industry in 2017–18 and showed that there has been a meaningful improvement in total bacterial loadings, reflecting significant improvements in livestock handling, establishment infrastructure, operator training and the uptake of HACCP systems throughout the industry. This article builds on the evidence base established by previous MLA-funded microbiological baseline surveys of the red meat industry.

Objectives

1. To prepare a journal article on the microbial data collected from an industry trial (AMPC 2018.1070).
2. To provide an information brochure, a how-to-guide and webinars to assist industry in the implementation of MHA 3 (Product Monitoring).

Key findings

Regarding Objective 1, in addition to the points above under Methodology, the key message of the journal article was that there has been a meaningful improvement in total bacterial levels, reflecting significant improvements in livestock handling, establishment infrastructure, operator training and the uptake of HACCP systems throughout the Australian meat industry.

In terms of Objective 2, as of 14 of July 2023, 94% of Tier 2 export establishments (including wild game and independent boning rooms) have successfully transitioned to MHA 3 (Product Monitoring). MHA 3 (Product Monitoring) data capture via DAFF’s Meat Exports data collection system (MEDC) has been live since April 2023 and establishments have been successfully entering data with no issues reported to date.

Benefits to industry

The publication of the 2017/18 industry trial is a valuable resource when critical information is required by overseas markets and customers. In particular, the Australian industry and regulator have recently put forward an alternative microbiological monitoring system and having the data published in an international, peer-reviewed journal will assist in demonstrating the basis on which these regulatory changes are proposed when Australia’s major trading partners review the revised system.

MHA 3 (Product Monitoring) is a system that is risk-based, allowing an establishment to focus on food safety plus areas of risk to their business. MHA 3 (Product Monitoring) also produces more targeted and actionable data. DAFF have conservatively forecasted a $3.2 million annual benefit to industry with the transition to MHA 3 (Product Monitoring) and the benefits include more useful data and Quality Control/Quality Assurance staff being able to proactively monitor potential trends, undertake investigations to improve the system and better interact with other departments.

MLA action

This final report will be published on the MLA R&D website.

Future research

Under the banner of meat modernisation, microbiological monitoring and visual hygiene assessment systems for meat products have been reviewed and alternative systems proposed, trialled and implemented by industry. A further element requiring review is how slaughter and dressing processes are monitored, as part of MHA. Therefore, it is recommended that the way these processes are monitored, should be reviewed and a revised system developed. Such a revised process monitoring system should deliver reduced costs for compliance and will reflect the transitioning of the industry into risk-based inspection.