ANNEXURE 3 SAMPLING FREQUENCY Regardless of the documentation requirements, risk food safety inspection, sampling, analysis and associated decisions, may be based on individual imported lots, as defined, and not on contents of shipping containers. The frequency of inspection and sampling may be increased for products from sources for which compliance is either unknown or there is a history of poor compliance. In some cases, every lot (i.e. 100 percent) may be subject to inspection or sampling until they are found to be compliant. The NEO may provide further internal guidelines to inspectors on the frequency of sampling for consignments from establishments with known compliance history. Fresh chilled meat meeting exporting country’s requirements can be released pending laboratory analytical results, however fresh chilled meat or food with poor compliance history may be held, until the importer provides evidence that the food complies with country requirements. The importer must make any laboratory analytical results collected on imported chilled meat available upon request by the NEO or his/her designate. The entire set of packages in the consignment must be examined before undergoing sensory examination and physical, chemical and laboratory The tests must be carried out on a whole range of samples drawn from the entire consignment, which may be partially unloaded where necessary to ensure that all parts of it are reached. At least five samples must be taken from various parts (cartons) of the consignment for laboratory analysis. Where consignments are from establishment(s) of unknown hygiene status or from suspect establishments, at least five samples must be taken from various parts (cartons) of the consignment. Administrative appeals and Decisions regarding non-compliant products Once an imported product has been determined to be in violation of the importing country’s requirements, the importer should be advised. Administrative appeals provides importers with an opportunity to discuss the decision with officials and, possibly, to provide further information to clarify the situation. Clear and transparent process for administrative appeals is stipulated in the rejection certificates as well as the Meat Safety Act. Options for use or disposal of the non-compliant consignment are available in the rejection certificate. Further guidance maybe provided on appeals on a case by case basis. Where the laboratory analytical results demonstrate the presence of pathogens or toxic substances, presentation of a subsequent analysis does not negate the first result, given the non–homogenous distribution of such substances.
ANNEXURE 3 SAMPLING FREQUENCY Regardless of the documentation requirements, risk food safety inspection, sampling, analysis and associated decisions, may be based on individual imported lots, as defined, and not on contents of shipping containers. The frequency of inspection and sampling may be increased for products from sources for which compliance is either unknown or there is a history of poor compliance. In some cases, every lot (i.e. 100 percent) may be subject to inspection or sampling until they are found to be compliant. The NEO may provide further internal guidelines to inspectors on the frequency of sampling for consignments from establishments with known compliance history. Fresh chilled meat meeting exporting country’s requirements can be released pending laboratory analytical results, however fresh chilled meat or food with poor compliance history may be held, until the importer provides evidence that the food complies with country requirements. The importer must make any laboratory analytical results collected on imported chilled meat available upon request by the NEO or his/her designate. The entire set of packages in the consignment must be examined before undergoing sensory examination and physical, chemical and laboratory The tests must be carried out on a whole range of samples drawn from the entire consignment, which may be partially unloaded where necessary to ensure that all parts of it are reached. At least five samples must be taken from various parts (cartons) of the consignment for laboratory analysis. Where consignments are from establishment(s) of unknown hygiene status or from suspect establishments, at least five samples must be taken from various parts (cartons) of the consignment. Administrative appeals and Decisions regarding non-compliant products Once an imported product has been determined to be in violation of the importing country’s requirements, the importer should be advised. Administrative appeals provides importers with an opportunity to discuss the decision with officials and, possibly, to provide further information to clarify the situation. Clear and transparent process for administrative appeals is stipulated in the rejection certificates as well as the Meat Safety Act. Options for use or disposal of the non-compliant consignment are available in the rejection certificate. Further guidance maybe provided on appeals on a case by case basis. Where the laboratory analytical results demonstrate the presence of pathogens or toxic substances, presentation of a subsequent analysis does not negate the first result, given the non–homogenous distribution of such substances.
Draft-VPN-52-2017-for-the-Microbiological-Monitoring-of-Imported-Meat-12-May-2017-comments-GL.docx