Operational guideline: Poultry and rabbit traditional post-mortem inspection

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inspection staff on the procedures for conducting traditional post-mortem inspection of poultry (except ratites and game animals) and rabbits.

This document is intended to be used in conjunction with other guidance documents as referenced in Section 3.0.

2.0 Authorities

The inspection powers, control actions and enforcement actions authorized by the above legislation are identified and explained in the Operational guideline – Food regulatory response guidelines.

3.0 Reference documents

4.0 Definitions

Definitions are located in the following documents or as a defined word where it is intended to supersede the definitions within the glossary documents:

5.0 Acronyms

Acronyms are spelled out the first time they are used and are consolidated in the Food business line acronyms list.

6.0 Operational guideline

Licence holders of poultry slaughtering establishments may choose to operate under the following methods of post-mortem inspection or examination:

  • Traditional post-mortem inspection and/or
  • Post-mortem Examination Program (Modernized Poultry Inspection Program (MPIP))

Note: traditional post-mortem inspection has been restricted to 1 online post-mortem inspection station in poultry slaughtering establishments. However, licence holders with 2 online traditional inspection stations as of December 31, 2004, have been "grandfathered".

Licence holders of rabbit slaughtering establishments can operate under traditional method of post-mortem inspection only.

As per paragraph 125(1)(d) of the SFCR, a licence holder may identify a meat product as edible only if the carcass, its parts, and the blood of the food animal from which the meat product is derived are subjected to a post-mortem inspection under subsection 149(1) or a post-mortem examination under subsection 150(1).

As per subsection 149(1) of the SFCR, a licence holder must, during the course of dressing or partially dressing a carcass, present the carcass, its parts, and any blood of the food animal that is collected to be processed as an edible meat product to a veterinary inspector, or an inspector under the supervision of a veterinary inspector, for a post-mortem inspection.

6.1 CFIA and licence holder responsibilities

6.1.1 CFIA responsibilities

6.1.1.1 Traditional post-mortem inspection and record retention

Note: CFIA inspectors have the authority to stop the evisceration line to complete post-mortem inspection or verify the effective removal of a carcass or defect, as per SFCA 24(2)(a)(i).

When performing post-mortem inspection, CFIA inspector is responsible to:

  • inspect all carcasses and their viscera for identifying all types of defects (pathology and contamination) that have occurred prior to the CFIA inspection station
  • identify carcasses for trimming, salvage, offline reprocessing/reconditioning or removal for veterinary disposition before the carcass leaves the CFIA inspection station
  • assess, when possible and when in doubt, the effectiveness of the removal of carcass from evisceration line or the trimming of the defects by the helper (employee positioned next to the inspector) by observing the helper performing these tasks

CFIA inspector is not expected to conduct re-inspection of every carcass or part after salvaging, offline reprocessing/reconditioning or online trimming on-routine basis. However, CFIA inspector can require re-inspection of carcasses or parts to verify that the defects have been removed to the satisfaction of the CFIA (for example, carcasses with excessive contamination, specific pathologies, or contaminants, etc.). The licence holder would then be required to present the carcass/carcass parts to CFIA as outlined in SFCR 149(1).

CFIA veterinary inspector is responsible to:

  • come to an agreement with the licence holder on a method for identifying carcasses with defects for their removal from the evisceration line by the helper
  • come to an agreement with the licence holder on presentation for rabbits
  • inspect the held carcasses for proper disposition, the carcass and its viscera could be:
    • approved as edible
    • partially approved after the removal of localized pathologies, conditions or contamination
    • condemned if carcass is considered to have systemic signs (for example, septicemia/toxemia) or generalized lesions/conditions (size, generalization or extensive nature of a lesion or condition for which complete removal is likely impractical):

  • issue CFIA/ACIA 5640 Poultry Condemnation Reports or CFIA/ACIA 1421 Certificate of Condemnation (for rabbits) if requested by the licence holder for each producer or shipment

    Note: if the licence holder does not wish to process, salvage, reprocess or recondition certain carcasses or parts that are considered edible after removal of defects due to lack of facilities, trained employees or otherwise, the licence holder must reject these carcasses or parts as plant rejects. Some examples include small carcasses, carcasses with contamination inside or outside the cavity, carcasses with myopathy and carcasses with localized dermatitis. These carcasses must not be recorded on condemnation reports or certificates.

  • review the request and rationale provided by the licence holder before authorizing the removal from carcass, any part that shows a deviation from normal appearance, prior to the completion of the post-mortem inspection
    • the removal of these parts must not impede defect detection or cause contamination
  • review the licence holder's Preventive Control Plan (PCP) when licence holder wishes to remove condemned poultry legs without the direct supervision of the post-mortem inspectors (for example, just before or after carcass chilling step)
    • the purpose of this review is not to approve the PCP but to ensure that the licence holder's control measures align with the requirements described in section A. Dressing procedures, preparation of edible parts and controls on contamination and localized pathology in poultry (a. Dressing procedures) of Appendix 1 – Poultry and Rabbit Slaughter PCI Operational Guidance
Record retention

Retain the following records once completed:

6.1.1.2 Verifying licence holder's compliance

To verify the licence holder's compliance with regulatory requirements for post-mortem presentation of carcass and its parts to CFIA, controls on the evisceration accidents and post-mortem inspection stations, perform the following tasks at the frequency described in Program Direction: Preventive control inspection frequencies for food (accessible only on the Government of Canada network):

Note: additional export requirements may apply to the offline reprocessing/reconditioning carcasses. Refer to Meat Electronic Export Certification (Ecert) (accessible only on the Government of Canada network) for more details on specific country requirements and to Annex 2 – Export food - Implementation verification tasks of Operational procedure: Food preventive control inspection – Implementation verification for the verification tasks to be performed.

When conducting post-mortem inspection, inspector could come across observations that may require them to perform additional inspection tasks (for example, but not limited to, inadequate dressing procedures, preparation of edible parts, controls on contamination and localized pathology, etc.) Refer to the following references for guidance when a potential non-compliance is observed:

6.1.2 Licence holder responsibilities

For the purpose of the traditional post-mortem inspection, each carcass must receive a complete post-mortem inspection by CFIA.

The licence holder is responsible for:

  • providing adequate facilities, including an efficient and reliable method (direct or indirect) for CFIA inspectors to stop and restart the evisceration line
  • ensuring that all carcasses and parts are presented for post-mortem inspection by CFIA in a manner that permits proper and efficient post-mortem inspection by CFIA; this includes:
    • consistent presentation of carcasses and viscera
    • correlation between carcass and viscera
    • adherence to the approved line speeds
    • minimizing evisceration accidents
  • providing a competent employee (helper) positioned next to the inspector, who must follow the inspector's guidance and:
    • remove identified carcasses and corresponding viscera from the evisceration line for veterinary examination or disposal
    • remove carcasses with defects for offline salvaging or reprocessing/reconditioning
  • identifying and analyzing biological, chemical, and physical hazards that pose a risk of food contamination (SFCR 47)
  • preventing, eliminating, or reducing these hazards to an acceptable level using control measures that are proven effective (SFCR 47)
  • preparing, keeping, maintaining, and implementing a written preventive control plan that meets the requirements of section 89 of the SFCR for slaughter of food animals (SFCR 86(1) and 88)
  • retaining documents that substantiate the implementation of the PCP plan for the period stated in SFCR 89(2)
  • identifying a meat product as edible only if it meets the requirements of sections 125, 145, 146, and 156 of the SFCR.

Refer to section 6.1.1.2 Verifying licence holder's compliance of this document to obtain guidance on the task to be used when assessing licence holder compliance to the SFCR.

6.1.2.1 Additional information about contamination control measures

Evisceration standards: corrective measure evaluation rejected (poultry only)

In traditional poultry slaughter establishments, the licence holder must implement the Evisceration Standards (ES) tests as control measure to prevent the evisceration accidents, as per the Post-mortem examination program.

Since the Carcass Dressing Standards (CDS) process control is not implemented in a traditional poultry slaughter establishment, when a sample for ES is rejected during the first and subsequent corrective measure evaluations, the licence holder cannot immediately perform a CDS process evaluation for FS-1 and FS-2 as mentioned in the Post-mortem examination program. However, the licence holder is still expected to implement controls to verify that contaminated carcasses (fecal material and ingesta) do not enter the chilling system.

Identification and removal of contamination

The licence holder may choose to fully separate the viscera from the carcass before or after the CFIA post-mortem inspection by sectioning the esophagus. This step, along with the removal of the crop (poultry only) and esophagus, can cause contamination of the cavity and neck.

CFIA online inspector is responsible for identifying contamination that occurs before online CFIA inspection station while the licence holder is responsible to identify the contamination that has occurred after the online CFIA inspection station.

The licence holder is responsible for removing all contamination after the CFIA inspection.

Prevention of carcass contamination during rabbit slaughter

During the skinning process (pelt removal), the rupture of abscesses (such as saddle abscesses) poses a risk of carcass contamination due to the release of purulent material. This pus can readily contaminate other areas of the carcass, particularly during showering or handling.

To mitigate this risk, the licence holder must implement effective control measures to prevent the spread of contamination. These measures should be specifically employed before the carcass enters the shower cabinet and is transferred to the evisceration room. Examples of control measures include but are not limited to:

  • hygienic removal of the contamination before the carcass is showered (requires authorization from the veterinary inspector, refer to the 6.1.2.2 Additional information about the preparation of meat product for more details)
  • elimination of showering during carcass transfer from the skinning room to the evisceration room to prevent the spread of any residual contamination via water droplets

Note: similar controls must be implemented when the carcasses are contaminated with fecal material during skin removal. 

6.1.2.2 Additional information about the preparation of meat product

The licence holder must submit their written PCP for review to the CFIA veterinary inspector before implementation if:

  • the licence holder wishes to remove from carcass, any part that shows a deviation from normal appearance before the post-mortem inspection is completed (for example, trimming of lesions in a particular flock with localized dermatitis on the breast or wings or rabbit abscess) (SFCR 149(2))
  • the licence holder wishes to remove condemned poultry legs without the direct supervision of the post-mortem inspectors (for example, after the carcass chilling) (to meet SFCR 154(2) and 155)

The licence holder may use different standards and methods to determine the acceptability of carcasses and parts. For example, modified CDS process control or an existing program (such as Poultry re-examination program) may be implemented either in the evisceration area or in the post-chill processing area.

6.2 Traditional post-mortem inspection

Under traditional inspection, a CFIA inspector inspects the carcass exterior, the abdominal cavity, and the corresponding viscera of each carcass to identify all types of defects (pathology and contamination) that have occurred prior to the CFIA inspection station.

Refer to Post-mortem evaluation procedures for more guidance on the minimal procedures to follow for detecting pathologies or hazards that may pose a risk to human health, and thus, to complete a post-mortem inspection.

Refer to section 6.2.1 Poultry of this document for specific guidance for poultry.

Refer to section 6.2.2 Rabbits of this document for specific guidance for rabbit.

Refer to Guidance on Canadian Food Inspection Agency inspection stations for slaughter operation of food animals and meat products for more details on the maximum line permitted in poultry and rabbit slaughter establishments. The Veterinarian with supervisory authority (VSA) can impose line speed reduction if the licence holder does not take an effective corrective action when required.

6.2.1 Poultry

CFIA inspector will perform standard tests to assess the effectiveness of controls for consistent presentation, correlation of carcass with viscera, line speed and evisceration accidents.

When the standards are not met, CFIA will communicate test results and any requirements for corrective measures to appropriate establishment personnel.

Presentation Standards (PS)

Evisceration Standards (ES)

CFIA can perform additional tests at any time as a further assurance of process control or if they suspect that standards are not being met for any reason.

Note: add the appropriate implementation verification task or sub-element task to the scope of the PCI case when a non-compliance is observed, for example:

  • when there are 3 rejected consecutive corrective measure(s) evaluation tests for the ES test
  • 3 consecutive line speed reductions (3 corrective action failures) for presentation standards
  • when the helper repeatedly does not follow directions from the inspector

Refer to section 6.1.1.2 Verifying licence holder's compliance of this document for more details when a potential non-compliance is observed.

6.2.2 Rabbits

To assess the effectiveness of controls for consistent presentation, correlation, line speed and evisceration accidents, refer to section 6.1.1.2 Verifying licence holder's compliance of this document for more details on the tasks to be used to verify licence holder's compliance.

The licence holder's PCP must include presentation of viscera and carcasses as agreed upon with CFIA.

Note: when the helper repeatedly does not follow directions from the inspector, add the appropriate implementation verification task or sub-element task to the scope of the PCI case. Refer to section 6.1.1.2 Verifying licence holder's compliance of this document for more details when a potential non-compliance is observed.

For inquiries related to this operational guidance document, please follow established communication channels, including submitting an electronic Request for Action Form (e-RAF) (accessible only on the Government of Canada network).

7.0 Appendix - Traditional poultry inspection presentation standards

Traditional presentation standards as outlined in the section 6.2.1 Poultry of this document are to be used for the presentation of carcasses and viscera under the traditional method of inspection in poultry slaughter establishment.

CFIA inspection staff must:

Recording of the Traditional inspection presentation standards tests

Due to variations in plant staffing and supervision, the presentation test results for each evisceration line, inspection station and shift will be independent of one another. Therefore, a separate form must be used for each evisceration line, inspection station, and shift.

7.1 Defects monitored by the presentation standards

7.1.1 Presentation errors: Outside errors (carcass and viscera)

  • Front or side (weight of 11)
    Carcasses arriving other than with back towards the inspector.
  • Hung by 1 leg (weight of 9)
    Carcasses arriving with both legs not properly suspended in the shackle.

  • Carcass swinging (weight of 6)
    Carcasses arriving with sufficient swinging motion to interfere with the inspection process

    A swing is considered excessive when there is a movement of 30° or more from right to left (or vice versa) relative to the chain and back and forth (or vice versa) relative to the inspector.

  • Viscera not uniform (weight of 6)
    Carcasses arriving with viscera on the opposite side of normal presentation or in the middle of the abdominal opening.
  • Contamination on viscera (weight of 6)
    Carcasses arriving with contaminated viscera requiring the inspector to wash their hands.
  • Viscera below wing (weight of 12)
    Carcasses arriving with following viscera below the wing and breast joint:

  • Viscera not free (weight of 10)
    Carcasses arriving with viscera not adequately separated from the abdominal fat pad and suspended alongside the carcass.

    If only a cross strip of fat is present, it will be considered that the viscera are free.

  • Viscera in shackle (weight of 8)
    Carcasses arriving with visceral organs hung in shackle.
  • Out of sequence (weight of 15)
    Carcasses arriving on guide bar out of sequence for the inspection station due to kick-out malfunction or missing the kick-out.
  • No viscera (weight of 20)
    Carcasses arriving without viscera.
    Those carcasses arriving with 1 or 2 missing organs will be scored with a weight of 5:

7.1.2 Presentation errors – Inside errors (cavity)

  • Air sac membranes (weight of 2)
    Carcasses arriving with the abdominal cavity obstructed by the air sac membrane from viscera to cavity.

  • Inadequate Opening cut (weight of 1)
    Carcasses arriving with an abdominal opening that does not allow for a proper examination of the abdominal cavity.

    These may be cross strips of skin, attached anus or cloaca, or any other obstruction in the abdominal opening that impedes inspection. It has been found that a cut made within 2 cm (3 cm for turkeys) to the point of the keel is an adequate opening.

  • Abdominal flap not reflected (weight of 2)
    Carcasses arriving with the viscera not reflecting the appropriate abdominal flap.

  • Viscera inside the carcass (weight of 1)
    Carcasses arriving with 1 or more visceral organs left in the cavity.

    For fowl hearts only, 3 or more occurrences of "Viscera inside the carcass" will not be considered an error.

  • Contamination inside the carcass (weight of 6)
    Carcasses arriving with abdominal cavity contamination.
  • Mutilation (weight of 2)
    Carcasses arriving with internal mutilation caused by the venting or evisceration equipment.

7.1.3 Exceeding line speed

Each carcass per minute exceeding the allowed maximum line speed for the establishment equals 1 error with a weight of 5.

7.1.4 Other defects controlled by the licence holder's written PCP

The presenter or designated establishment helper is responsible for identifying these defects and removing the carcass from the evisceration line:

  • not opened carcass: carcass arrives at the inspection station with no opening cut made in the carcass
  • viscera not drawn: carcass arrives at the inspection station with opening cut made but with viscera insufficiently drawn to permit inspection
  • carcass not suspended by legs: carcass arrives at inspection station hung by the neck or wing

These carcasses will be removed from the line by the presenter or the helper for correction and hung-back to be presented again to the CFIA inspector for post-mortem inspection (unless rejected by the licence holder as non-edible meat product).

These "Other defects" must be corrected by the licence holder by means of control measures included in the written PCP.

No presentation error will be recorded on a Presentation log - Traditional poultry inspection (accessible only on the Government of Canada network – RDIMS 11140602)for these defects when observed during the presentation test.

In the case of a recurrence of these defects during the presentation test, the licence holder will be notified, and 5 demerit points will be recorded on the Presentation log - Traditional poultry inspection (accessible only on the Government of Canada network – RDIMS 11140602) for each subsequent defect.

7.2 Sampling method

Each test (random tests and retests) consists of 2 separate observations of 10 carcasses and their viscera; one for outside errors and the second for inside errors.

Carcass sampling must be conducted in a way to avoid sample bias. Randomly select a carcass online by picking one, then count a predetermined number of carcasses, for example, third one, and then examine this carcass and its corresponding viscera. This carcass shall be the first one of the samples.

Repeat the procedure for each subsequent carcass until the required number is examined.

The 10 carcasses will be checked for any of the listed outside errors (carcass and viscera). This test will be conducted offline with the person conducting the test standing behind and between the presenter and the inspector ensuring a clear view of the carcasses and viscera on the line as they pass. Each error observed will be recorded on the Presentation log - Traditional poultry inspection (accessible only on the Government of Canada network – RDIMS 11140602).

Then, at the same location, but with the person doing the test standing online between the presenter and the inspector, 10 additional carcasses will be observed for the listed inside errors (cavity). Each error observed will be recorded on the Presentation log - Traditional poultry inspection (accessible only on the Government of Canada network – RDIMS 11140602).

A carcass showing multiple defects must be scored as one defective carcass. When multiple defects are noted, record the defect with the highest weightage (for example, if the carcass is hung from the front and the viscera are in the shackle, assign 11 demerit points).

The last part is to verify the line speed by counting the number of shackles going past a stationary point within a given time.

The total score of outside and inside errors is added to any line speed error and "other defects" error (if recurrence) to determine the total non-conformance for each inspection station.

7.3 Aggregate results and actions required

During a random sampling:

  • if the total of non-conformance total is 24 or less and if 2 or less of the same presentation errors occur, the presentation is deemed under control
  • if the total of non-conformance is 25 through 39, or if 3 or more of the same presentation errors occur (for fowl hearts only, 3 or more occurrences of "Viscera inside carcass" will not be considered as an error), the licence holder must take immediate corrective action and a retest must be conducted by CFIA within 10 minutes
  • if any test result has a total non-conformance of 40 or more, the line speed must be reduced by 10% immediately, the licence holder must take immediate corrective action and a retest must be conducted by CFIA within 10 minutes (the increment used for the line speed increase is equivalent to the increment used for line speed reduction)

During a retest:

  • if any retest total has a total non-conformance of 25 or more, or 3 or more of the same presentation errors occur (for fowl hearts only, 3 or more occurrences of "Viscera inside carcass" will not be considered as an error), the line speed must be reduced by 10% immediately, the licence holder must take immediate corrective action, and a retest must be conducted by CFIA within 10 minutes
  • line speed reductions of 10% will continue on each failed retest until:
    • a total non-conformance of 24 or less and 2 or less of any one error is achieved or
    • until the third consecutive line speed reduction

or

  • line speeds will be increased by allowed increments equivalent to the reduction, to the maximum speed permitted only after presentation control is satisfactory (total non-conformance of 24 or less and 2 or less incidences of the same errors)

    Note: when line speeds are increased, process control must again be demonstrated at the higher line speed as soon as possible and not more than 10 minutes after each increase.

When 3 consecutive line speed reductions for presentation non-conformance do not result in acceptable presentation, the VSA must:

  • evaluate the presentation problem:
    • refer to section 6.1.1.2 Verifying licence holder's compliance of this document to obtain guidance on the inspection task to be used when assessing licence holder compliance to the SFCR
  • determine the impact of non-conformance on post-mortem inspection (how the presentation problems are affecting the ability of inspectors to conduct effective post-mortem inspection), this includes:
    • obstructing access to critical areas of the carcass
    • hindering visualization of organs and tissues
    • increasing the risk of contamination
  • determine acceptable presentation at less than 70% of licence holder initial line speed to ensure effective post-mortem inspection

Each element of the process control and their interaction are presented in the decision tree and are explained in the Description of the decision tree for traditional poultry presentation standards.

SFCR has precedence over the actions recommended in this decision tree, and the veterinary inspector can request corrective action at any time.

7.4 Decision tree – Traditional poultry presentation standard

the decision tree for traditional poultry presentation standard

Description of the decision tree for traditional poultry presentation standard

The decision tree for traditional presentation standard starts with Random sampling.

The result of Random sampling can lead to 4 possibilities:

  1. If the total weightage of non-conformance errors is less than or equal to 24 and the occurrence of the same error is less than 3 (for fowl hearts only, 3 or more occurrences of "Viscera inside carcass" will not be considered as an error), then continue random sampling.
  2. If the total weightage of non-conformance errors is greater than 24 and less than or equal to 39 or the occurrence of the same error is greater than or equal to 3 (for fowl hearts only, 3 or more occurrences of "Viscera inside carcass" will not be considered as an error), then licence holder must implement immediate corrective action and CFIA must retest within 10 minutes (see retest sampling after the implementation of corrective action and retest within 10 minutes)
  3. If the total weightage of non-conformance errors is greater than or equal to 40, the licence holder must apply an immediate line speed reduction of 10 % and implement immediate corrective action, and CFIA must retest within 10 minutes (see retest sampling after the implementation of corrective action and retest within 10 minutes)
  4. If the maximum line speed is exceeded, the licence holder must immediately decrease the line speed to maximum allowed and 1 error for each carcass exceeding the allowed maximum speed is counted.

The result of retest sampling after the implementation of corrective action and retest within 10 minutes, can lead to 2 possibilities:

  1. If the total weightage of non-conformance errors is less than or equal to 24 and the occurrence of the same error is less than 3 (for fowl hearts only, three 3 or more occurrences of "Viscera inside carcass" will not be considered as an error), and
    1. if the line speed was not previously reduced, then return to random sampling.
    2. if the line speed was previously reduced, then increase the line speed by allowed increments to the maximum speed permitted.
      Note: retest must be done within 10 minutes of every line speed increases. Once the approved maximum line speed has been reached and a satisfactory retest has been performed, return to random sampling.
  2. If the total weightage of non-conformance errors is greater than 24 or the occurrence of the same error is greater than or equal to 3 (for fowl hearts only, 3 or more occurrences of "Viscera inside carcass" will not be considered as an error), then the licence holder must apply an immediate line speed reduction of 10%, and implement immediate corrective action, and CFIA must retest within 10 minutes. The result of retest sampling can lead to 2 possibilities:
    1. if the total weightage of non-conformance errors is less than or equal to 24 and the occurrence of the same error is less than 3 (for fowl hearts only, 3 or more occurrences of "Viscera inside carcass" will not be considered an error), then follow 1.b above.
    2. if the total weightage of non-conformance errors is greater than 24 or the occurrence of the same error is greater than or equal to 3 (for fowl hearts only, 3 or more occurrences of "Viscera inside carcass" will not be considered an error), then the licence holder must apply an immediate line speed reduction of 10% and implement immediate corrective action, and CFIA must retest within 10 minutes.
      Note: line speed can only be reduced by 10% for 3 times, after which the VSA shall decide which corrective measures are to be taken. Refer to section 6.1.1.2 Verifying licence holder's compliance of this document to obtain guidance on the inspection task to be used when assessing licence holder compliance to the SFCR.
 
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