NZ clarifies poultry processing regulations

New Zealand Food Safety Authority and the New Zealand Poultry Industry Association have developed a new code of practice (COP) specifically for poultry processing.

Effectively amalgamating various manuals into one simpler document, the code includes:

• improvements for control of Campylobacter identified by NZFSA’s Campylobacter Strategy Working Group
• expected standards for good manufacturing practice, and
• procedures to promote compliance with legal requirements set under the Animal Products Act 1999.

The COP is being developed and issued in stages according to priorities set under the Campylobacter strategy. The first stage is completed and includes:

• Part 1 — which covers the overall structure and purpose of the document, and
• Part 2, Chapter 5 — which covers slaughter and dressing.

The code will be implemented on 1 March 2008. NZFSA will work with the Poultry Industry Association to ensure all poultry processors are aware of the requirements under the new code.

The code is available for download from http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/animalproducts/publications/code-of-practice/index.htm