Archived - Annex C: HACCP Based Slaughter Inspection Program (HIP) for Swine
5.0 Performance Tests – Evisceration

5.1 Introduction to the ISO Evisceration Performance Test

For more detailed information on the ISO sampling plans used for the Evisceration Performance Test, Presentation Standards Test and Finished Product Standards Test, see the CFIA Training Module E6, Annex I and Appendix G of this policy.

The purpose of the ISO Evisceration Performance Test is to consistently reduce evisceration accidents to the lowest possible level by providing a real time performance measurement of the evisceration step. This real time monitoring and feedback provides the plant production personnel with crucial information about their own personal performance. This approach has been shown to be an objective and statistically reliable means of determining when early process intervention (corrective action) is warranted.

Advances in equipment technology and the desire to control food safety dressing defects as early in the dressing process as possible place demands on the need for flexibility in the implementation of the Evisceration Performance Test. For those circumstances where an operator wishes to use automated equipment or manual equipment as an intervention step immediately after evisceration but in advance of the test being performed, the integrity of the Evisceration Performance Test results shall be preserved. This does not prevent the operator from proposing various methods of carcass marking and identification to satisfy both outcomes. All proposals for special procedure exemptions shall receive the approval of the National Program in consultation with the RVO.

An accredited plant employee shall conduct a scheduled but randomized hourly or half hourly (as determined by the operator) Evisceration Performance Test on a specified number (see Module E 5) of consecutive or alternately consecutive carcasses at a station immediately after the evisceration step and prior to any further alteration or trimming (special approved procedures exempted) of the carcass. This test may be performed on an unsplit or split carcass provided the above condition is met. The test shall only evaluate visible carcass contamination resulting from gastro-intestinal spillage. Coincidental findings such as buccal cavity regurgitation, while not an acceptable finding for an approved carcass, is not to be scored using the Evisceration Performance Test. As previously noted, it is acceptable for the operator to choose to immediately remove any food safety dressing defect prior to the testing station provided the integrity of the test results are preserved.

In swine slaughter establishments where the hide is removed rather than the carcass scalded and de-haired, an additional Hide Removal Performance test shall not be performed to evaluate hide removal as is the case in beef slaughter. Instead the operator shall ensure that the external surfaces of the carcass are satisfactorily prepared in accordance with Chapter 17, section 17.6 of the MOP.

5.2 Evisceration Performance Test Procedures

See Appendix G.

The operator shall designate accredited persons to schedule and conduct the Evisceration Performance Test and initiate corrective action whenever the required standards are not met. The test monitoring/verification function can be shared between plant production and QA or it may be performed by QA alone if the operator so chooses.

The operator shall notify the VIC/delegate when required as indicated in Appendix A: Decision Tree for HIP Evisceration Performance Testing.

5.2.1 Evisceration Performance Test Scoring

Scoring of evisceration errors is based on the ISO attribute system using Sampling Plan 2859-1, Inspection level S-4 (note: inspection level S1 may be used in plants operating at 100 cph or less); refer to Appendix G. Carcasses are only scored as "positive" or "negative" for the presence of any distinguishable fecal or ingesta defect related to evisceration. Any carcass found to be positive during the test shall be clearly and immediately marked/identified so the defect is corrected prior to the final approval of the carcass.

Minimum performance standards for the Evisceration test are based on the HIP National Baseline Study, 2004. These performance standards will be re-evaluated as more data becomes available. Appendix G indicates the minimum standards that are to be met by all federal facilities.

When a facility initiates operations under the HIP format they may initially use their in-plant data to establish their mean evisceration performance. The facility will be given two months to adjust its operations to meet the declared national performance standards if the in-plant mean performance exceeds the national standard. See Appendix G.

All Evisceration Performance Test results are to be recorded on form CFIA HIP 001: HIP Evisceration Testing. Appendix A: Decision Tree for HIP Evisceration Performance Testing provides additional details on the process action steps that shall occur for each of the following Evisceration Performance Test scores.

5.2.2 Evisceration Performance Test Modes

All facilities commencing inspection for the first time under the HIP shall commence testing in normal mode. Sample size and test frequency is based on the operator's choice of a lot size (see table 4.1 and table 4.1a for SPC Testing Frequencies).

Normal Mode

The operator must continue to successfully pass a minimum of four out of five consecutive random tests to maintain Normal mode status.

Should the operator fail two tests within any window of five consecutive tests, random sampling shall be suspended and the testing mode shall be switched to Tightened mode on the subsequent test. Alternately, after 10 consecutive successful tests in Normal mode the operator may change to Reduced mode.

No action is required when a satisfactory performance score is obtained. Scheduled random testing shall continue. The CFIA shall be notified any time there is a change to Tightened mode and random sampling shall be suspended. The operator shall investigate and correct the cause of the failure. See Appendix A: Decision Tree for Evisceration Performance.

Small establishments that are testing at reduced frequency and have a failure in Normal mode must do an additional test in half an hour to verify performance. A failure of this additional test will cause a change of mode to Tightened. An accepted score will result in a return to normal test frequency.

Tightened Mode

Upon entering Tightened mode, random testing shall be suspended and a test shall be conducted within 15 minutes of the previously failed Normal mode test. Testing shall continue every 15 minutes thereafter until Normal mode is restored. Five consecutive successful tests must be passed in order to return to Normal mode. Random testing shall be resumed upon returning to Normal mode.

Reduced Mode (Elective)

Ten consecutive successful test scores in Normal mode shall be achieved before the operator can switch to Reduced Mode. Any single failure of a test score in Reduced mode will require that the operator move back to Normal mode. The operator should initiate corrective actions as deemed necessary and shall perform the next test within 15 minutes of the failed test, followed by a second test 15 minutes later. If both tests are successful, resume random testing in Normal mode. See section 5.2.4 for related actions.

Small establishments that are testing at reduced frequency and have a failure in Reduced Mode and thus change modes to Normal must do an additional test in half an hour to verify performance. A failure of this test in Normal must be followed by another test in half an hour. A failure in the second test in Normal will cause a change of mode to Tightened. An accepted score will result in a return to normal test frequency.

5.2.3 FPS-FS I Testing due to Evisceration Performance Test Failure

A change in status from Normal to Tightened mode or Reduced to Normal mode, for the Evisceration Performance Test will require that the FPS-FS I Performance Test change its testing frequency (but remain in its current mode) to validate evisceration corrective measures.

Any Evisceration Performance Test failure while in Reduced mode will require that the operator change status to Normal mode, temporarily suspend random Evisceration and FPS-FS I testing frequency. There shall be an FPS-FS I test performed immediately after each of the first two evisceration tests in Normal mode. If the two Evisceration Performance Tests are successful, random testing frequency shall be resumed provided the initial two Evisceration Performance Tests in Normal mode have satisfactory results. Any test failures that occur in FPS-FS I or Evisceration Performance shall be scored in accordance with the ISO switching rules for that mode.

In the event of a Normal mode failure, the operator shall change status to Tightened mode and there shall be an FPS-FS I test performed immediately after each of the first two Tightened mode tests for evisceration performance. If both Tightened mode Tests linked to FPS FS I are successful, the FPS-FS I test shall return to a random testing frequency. If the Evisceration test continues to fail, an associated FPS-FS I test shall be performed after each failed evisceration test until the evisceration test passes. Any failure in tightened mode will result in two linked FPS FS I tests.

However, when the FPS-FS I test fails and changes to either Normal or Tightened mode, the Evisceration Performance test mode shall not be affected and continue to operate at its current test status and frequency.

Any failure of an FPS test will be scored in accordance with the ISO switching rules for that mode. (See Appendix C).

5.2.4 Corrective Actions – Evisceration Performance Test

Appropriate actions following a failure in any of the above categories is required by the operator as specified in Appendix A: Decision Tree for HIP Evisceration Performance Testing. All corrective actions outlined in the operator's written program shall be previously approved by the VIC. These corrective actions may include, but are not restricted to the following:

• re-evaluation of received food animals to meet the operator's performance standards;
• analysis of process steps prior to the test location where the failure occurred;
• addition of extra accredited personnel;
• line speed reduction;
• equipment adjustment;
• replacement of personnel; and
• increased test frequency.