Archived - Chapter 19 – Poultry Inspection Programs
19.7 Poultry Dispositions

19.7.1 Diseases and Conditions Diagnosed by Organoleptic Examination of Carcasses and Portions Thereof and/or Reported to the Meat Programs Division

19.7.2 Diseases or Conditions Generally Diagnosed and Reported Based on Laboratory Analysis (Histopathology, Culture, Serology, Residues Testing, Etc.)

19.7.3 Reportable Diseases (Poultry Species)

In addition to the reportable diseases, any suspected case of exotic disease must be reported to the Animal Health District Veterinarian. Any animal or carcass suspected of having either a reportable or an exotic disease, should be held pending the arrival of an Animal Health veterinarian. (See Chapter 9)

19.7.4 Specific Ante mortem/Post mortem Conditions for Poultry

Throughout this section if a carcass is discarded by a veterinarian it is referred to as a condemnation. If a plant defect detector or inspector discards a carcass it will be referred to as a rejection.

19.7.4.1 Abnormal Odour

Any carcass which exhibits an abnormal odour at the time of post mortem inspection shall be held for veterinary inspection. If, in the opinion of the veterinarian, the odour is excessively pronounced, the carcass shall be condemned. Where odour is not considered excessive and not indicative of exposure to toxic materials, affected carcasses may be chilled in an attempt to dissipate the odour.

If at the end of the chilling period, the odour has dissipated, the carcass may be approved without restriction. In many cases, residual odour can still be detected following chilling by incision into deeper tissues. In cases where there is residual but not excessive odour following chilling, it will be acceptable to approve the carcass with the restriction that meat from the carcass may only be permitted for inclusion into spiced meat products. The amount of this meat permitted in the mixture will depend on the severity of the condition; however in no case the odour shall be detectable in the finished product.

19.7.4.2 Contamination

Carcasses and parts and/or viscera contaminated with grease, gall, faecal contamination, or other noxious material are adulterated and unfit for human food. Contamination shall be removed and condemned and the remainder may be approved, provided the remainder does not retain odours or unsound characteristics. Where the contamination is so generalized as to make removal impractical, total condemnation is required.

If total condemnation is not warranted, the carcass may either be salvaged or reprocessed as per the requirements for those processes.

Carcasses or portions and/or viscera contaminated with volatile oils, poisons, obnoxious gases, kerosene, or any substance which may permeate the tissues rendering them adulterated, shall be condemned.

Birds placed in the scald tank before they are dead become contaminated due to inhalation of scald water. Whenever scald water is observed in air sacs, the affected carcasses shall be condemned.

19.7.4.3 Fractures

Where bone fractures in poultry carcasses are detected at post mortem inspection, disposition shall be in accordance with the following:

• Where the fracture is associated with a bruise, the fracture site and bruised tissue shall be trimmed off and condemned. With fractures that involve the bones of the wings and legs, the affected tissue shall be removed by incision through the first joint (or joints) outside the affected area. In the case of a dislocated hip, without bruising, trimming is not required.
• Where the fracture is compound, i.e., the skin is penetrated, the fracture site and the surrounding tissue are to be trimmed off and condemned in a similar manner to that outlined above.
• Where the fracture is simple, without bruise or skin perforation, the affected portion may be approved for boning by either manual or mechanical means. In some cases, salvage may be possible by removing the affected area of fractured portions, e.g., a simple fracture of the distal end of the tibia may be removed by cutting proximal to the fracture. In such a case, the affected part must be removed to the satisfaction of CFIA personnel prior to approval of the remainder of the portion.

  Note: If the trimmed portion no longer conforms to the definition accepted for the label product description, the product description must be altered (see Chapter 7).

• In those instances where trimming is impracticable, in other words where the carcass is extensively mutilated, then the carcass shall be condemned.

Where the legs are short cut during feet removal, i.e., the cut is made through the tibia above the hock joint, no action is required unless there is visible contamination of the area.

19.7.4.4 Handling of Meat Products Which Have Fallen on the Floor

The disposition of these carcasses (or portions) must be left to the discretion of the Veterinarian in Charge. If salvage of the carcass or portion is not considered practicable, then condemnation may be considered.

Hygienic handling of carcasses or portions which have fallen on the floor shall be conducted according to a procedure that has been validated as part of the operator's HACCP system based on the following parameters:

• The carcass or portion shall be immediately removed from contact with the floor to reduce the possibility of further contamination.
• All visible contamination shall be removed by e.g., washing and/or trimming in an efficient yet sanitary fashion.
• After satisfactory removal of visible contamination, the carcass or portion shall be thoroughly rinsed with water.
• The site of the fall, the frequency of falls, and the reasons for the falls should be noted. Corrective action to prevent a recurrence, if required should be incorporated as quickly as possible.

19.7.4.5 Loss of Identity

In the case where only a portion of the viscera is missing, the veterinarian or inspector may take into consideration the organ(s) which is (are) missing, the condition of the carcass and the rest of the viscera as presented, and the disease prevalence in the flock to determine if there is sufficient need to condemn the whole carcass.

In the case where no viscera are present, disposition should be determined on a flock basis, considering the following conditions:

• Rate for the lot compared to average condemnation rates for a healthy flock;
• Prevalent conditions resulting in condemnation in the flock;
• The Presentation Standard for MPIP (refer to section 19.6.2.4 of this chapter) or the Traditional Presentation Standard (refer to section 19.6.1.1 of this chapter) are into compliance; additional presentation check may be conducted if there is a question of excessive loss of viscera.

While each case must be judged on an individual basis, the severity of the defect must be brought to the attention of management and steps should be taken to immediately rectify the cause of the defect.

Note: Carcasses must be synchronized with their corresponding viscera whenever the viscera are separated form the carcass by automatic evisceration equipment. Lack of synchronization shall be treated as "loss of identity". Lack of synchronization by more than half a shackle or viscera pan is to be treated as a deficiency.

19.7.4.6 Synovitis, Tenosynovitis, Ruptured Gastrocnemius Tendon, Viral Arthritis

Rejection of carcasses due to these conditions should be based on poly-systemic effects of the carcass such as emaciation or dark colouration; otherwise trimming of the affected portion is required.

Therefore it is recommended that this condition be reported as synovitis (unless it is clearly a ruptured gastrocnemius tendon), until a more precise aetiology is established. For carcasses condemned for articular problems other than the ones described above, please report under arthritis.

19.7.4.7 Emaciation/Leanness/Smallness

Carcasses showing evidence of a prominent keel, the loss of muscle mass and body fat and an alteration of the consistency of the remaining fat, without any other sign of disease, shall be condemned and reported as emaciated. (See difference from serous atrophy of fat in the training manual)

Leaner or smaller carcasses in the lot should be approved.

19.7.4.8 Dermatitis

Generally, no carcass should be condemned for superficial dermatitis. Carcasses with dermatitis lesions may be trimmed and/or salvaged, regardless of the size of the lesion. Carcasses with lesions affecting the underlying muscle fascia such that trimming is impractical should be condemned as cellulitis.

19.7.4.9 Marek's Disease – Cutaneous Form

When the lesions caused by Marek's Disease are restricted to the skin and limited in extent, when no viscera and nerves are affected and no systemic effects are present, affected carcasses are approved following trimming.

19.7.4.10 Osteomyelitis in Turkeys

Green liver cannot be considered a sign of current septicaemia, and the presence of it is only an indication to examine the carcass further. Green liver alone is not an indication to condemn any carcass.

Post mortem disposition depends on the presence of systemic effects, e.g., the infection involves clavicular air sacs, or several long bones and/or joints and /or tendon sheaths are affected, or there are breast muscle abscesses. The entire carcass will be condemned if the infection is generalized. The condemned material must be sent to a rendering plant authorized to process inedible products.

19.7.4.11 Cellulitis

19.7.4.11.1 Chickens Including Roasters and Fowl

Under the traditional method of poultry inspection, carcasses affected with cellulitis shall be trimmed by the helper/trimmer stationed next to the inspector or, if the operator has an effective Quality Assurance (QA) program, then downstream on the evisceration line.

Under the Modernized Poultry Inspection Program (MPIP), carcasses may be trimmed on-line, downstream from the inspection/detection zone.

Trimming of lesions is subject to the following:

• In the case of peri-cloacal cellulitis:

Broiler chicken carcasses with peri-cloacal cellulitis shall be removed during preselection to prevent contamination of evisceration equipment and cross contamination of subsequent eviscerated carcasses.

For roasters (> 2.6 kg live weight), localized and circumscribed peri-cloacal lesions may be trimmed after being withdrawn from the evisceration line at preselection provided there are adequate, sanitary trimming facilities.

• In the case of non-peri-cloacal cellulitis:

Broiler chicken carcasses, with cellulitis lesions larger than 2 cm × 2 cm, located elsewhere than on the wings and the legs, shall be removed during preselection. Wings and/or legs with cellulitis lesions may be removed from the carcass and condemned. Carcasses with localized skin scratches longer than 2 cm (e.g., minor longitudinal lesions located at the base of the tail) may be trimmed on-line provided that all cellulitis lesions are removed upon trimming.

Heavy/breeder fowl carcasses with cellulitis lesions may be trimmed and/or salvaged, regardless of the size of the lesion, provided such lesions are not associated with extensive subcutaneous spreading of cellulitis, nor affecting underlying muscle fascia.

19.7.4.11.2 Turkeys

Turkey carcasses with cellulitis lesions may be trimmed and/or salvaged, provided such lesions are not associated with extensive subcutaneous spreading of cellulitis, nor affecting underlying muscle fascia. In such cases, carcasses shall be condemned for cellulitis. Carcasses which are impractical to trim due to extensive emphysema with cellulitis shall be reported as cellulitis. All carcasses which cannot be fully trimmed on-line must be removed from the evisceration line for off-line trimming. Any amount of cellulitis coupled with associated evidence of generalized disease shall be condemned for the underlying cause.

19.7.4.12 Sternal Bursitis With/Without Cellulitis

"Breast buttons" (= 13 mm in turkey and = 8 mm in quails and fowl) and "breast blisters" are to be removed. Carcasses with more extensive sternal bursitis, without evidence of associated extensive cellulitis shall have the bursa trimmed or removed. Carcasses with sternal bursitis, with associated extensive cellulitis, shall be condemned for the underlying cause i.e., sternal bursitis. Carcasses with sternal bursitis accompanied with a generalized disease or condition shall be condemned for the underlying disease or condition.

19.7.4.13 Emphysema

Carcasses with emphysema associated with cellulitis or airsacculitis, refer to the policy for cellulitis or airsacculitis respectively.

19.7.4.14 Ascites

If a carcass exhibits emaciation, subcutaneous œdema, anasarca or congestion it is to be condemned. The presence of a cobblestone liver should signal one to look more closely at the carcass for subcutaneous œdema. The presence of a cobblestone liver alone is not a reason to condemn the carcass. Similarly the presence of ascites without systemic involvement should result in acceptance of the carcass.

The following table has thus been developed as a reference tool to assist veterinarians help to evaluate this condition in chickens and turkeys.

Fowl carcasses with an obviously distended abdomen shall be condemned at preselection.

19.7.4.15 Septicaemia/Toxaemia/Congestion Syndrome

Of the various lesions found in the cases of septicaemia or toxaemia, the following are those most often encountered (in decreasing order of importance):

• multi focal sub serous haemorrhages, which often affect several organs (mostly the endocardium and epicardium); sub mucosal haemorrhages of the trachea;
• congestion and œdema of various organs,
• presence of sites of infection of embolic origin in various organs;
• peripheral vasodilatation; and
• petechial and/or ecchymotic haemorrhage of the sub serosal fat, e.g., fat around the ovaries or testes.

A septicaemia infected carcass must be sent to an authorized inedible rendering plant. A congested carcass may be used for animal food.

19.7.4.16 Inadequate Bleeding

Carcasses that are inadequately bled are to be rejected or condemned.

Carcasses that are mildly red or that show redness only at the extremities can remain on the line and\or be subjected to further trimming.

Whenever there are inadequately bled carcasses (mildly red to brick red) present at the pre- selection, please refer to Chapter 12 of this manual.

19.7.4.17 Salpingitis/Peritonitis in Poultry

Condemnation for the salpingitis category shall not be used in chickens. Dry caseous material and/or caseous exudate limited to the salpinx or the immediate surrounding tissue can be removed by trimming, aspiration, vacuuming or by salvaging, A normal carcass with a ruptured salpinx with localized inflammation or no sign of inflammation in the area should be reconditioned or salvaged.

Peritonitis usually consists of malodorous, caseous or other exudate, adhesions, red fibrinous tags along the abdominal wall or the exterior of viscera. The term peritonitis is not to be used for the filmy transudate (œdema of the liver capsule) that is part of the hepatosis that develops secondary to cyanosis/ascites syndrome, as the latter terms are more diagnostic of what is actually occurring.

Carcasses with retained egg yolks may be reconditioned or salvaged.

19.7.4.18 Dark Coloured Carcasses/Cyanosis

Carcasses from birds slaughtered in a moribund state will be condemned on post mortem for Dark Coloured Carcasses/ Cyanosis. The term "moribund" should not be used for poultry dispositions related to post mortem examination/inspection.

Mild to moderately blue carcasses should be approved (provided the dark colouration is the only significant finding) as these carcasses have been shown to return to normal colour in the chill tank.

Severely dark carcasses should be condemned.

19.7.4.19 Airsacculitis

Lesions and affected air sacs shall be removed from the carcass using on-line or off-line reconditioning procedures without creating additional contamination. The remnants of the membranes, without caseum and/or exudate, will not be considered as a lesion nor as a defect for the Defect Detection Standards (DDS) and the Carcass Dressing Standards (CDS).

Carcasses with systemic effects (such as polyserositis, emaciated, dark coloured carcasses) or with rarely seen acute lesions shall be condemned. Otherwise, carcasses and/or viscera with lesions consistent with airsacculitis shall be handled as follows:

Additional Considerations:

When fibrino-caseous or caseous material is observed on the liver capsule (indicating direct extension from the air sac to the liver capsule i.e., not due to systemic spread), then carcass is passed and liver is condemned.

When the heart is enlarged (cardiomyopathy with/without constrictive pericarditis), with no evidence of caseous material in or on the pericardial sac, with/without a cobblestone liver, the heart and liver may be rejected and the carcass is passed - refer to policy on "Ascites"

Pericarditis is very rare in fowl and when present, is commonly associated with ascites (not airsacculitis). The viscera are to be condemned and the carcass is passed after removal of any affected airsacs (if applicable). For disposition of fowl affected with ascites, refer to policy on "Ascites"

CFIA veterinary advice should be sought when there is more than the normal incidence of a specific lesion.

19.7.4.20 Varus/Valgus Deformity

There is no health risk associated with this condition. It is not to be condemned, unless the carcass has other systemic signs secondary to the V/V, e.g., emaciation. Therefore the majority of these carcasses may be sent for trimming if severely deformed.

19.7.4.21 Liver Conditions Including Hepatitis

Chicken

Carcasses and their livers exhibiting these lesions as described above are to be approved or condemned (based on the possible presence of a septicaemia) under the category hepatitis as follows:

Description for Decision Tree - Carcass With Liver Conditions

A carcass with liver conditions can either be:

• with systemic effects and/or Necrotic Hepatitis, in which case
  • carcass and viscera are condemned

  or

• without systemic effects, which can lead to:
  1. Airsacculitis, ascites, fatty liver, Visceral Mareks's, et cetera - see applicable policies
  2. Normal size liver with a few red or white foci (regular shape) - carcass and liver/viscera approved
  3. Enlarged liver with red or white foci and/or liver with black or green or white granulomas (irregular shape nodules)- liver/viscera condemned, carcass approved

Under the option of necrotic hepatitis, a note is added to see the Canadian Food Inspection Agency training material for poultry dispositions.

Fatty Liver has a yellowish appearance with/without red foci (due to ruptured blood vessels) – the liver (that may be very friable) and the carcass are to be approved.

Chicken and Turkey

Bile Stasis livers may be discarded by the operator (as a quality defect) and the carcass is approved. For chicken livers which are greenish in colour but also have red and/or white foci, refer to the preceding paragraph for cholangiohepatitis. For turkeys with green livers, refer also to sub section 19.7.4.10, "Osteomyelitis in turkeys".

Turkey

Chronic granulomatous hepatitis is the most common liver condition in turkeys. Livers have multiple white fibrotic foci scattered over the surface and throughout the parenchyma. Carcasses with no evidence of systemic effects are approved and the liver is condemned.

Histomoniasis (Blackhead Disease) in turkeys may display multiple white circular depressed areas of necrosis in various sizes up to 1 cm in diameter with raised edges or multiple scattered pin point to coalescing white foci. The liver parenchyma may also have scattered green-black discoloration. The internal caecal walls display marked inflammation and ulceration. The caeca contain a dark green caseous exudate. Splenomegaly may or may not be present. Carcasses with no evidence of systemic effects are approved and the liver and caeca is condemned.

Fowl

Hepatic Lipidosis is characterized by focal to multi focal, flat (non raised), pale yellow areas (fat deposits) scattered over the surface and throughout the liver parenchyma. The liver may be enlarged and/or friable. Carcass and viscera shall be approved.

Lymphoid Leucosis (LL) is extremely rare. The milliary form of LL consists of numerous small nodules uniformly distributed throughout the parenchyma. In the diffuse form, the liver is uniformly enlarged, slightly greyish in colour, and usually friable. Occasionally the liver is firm, fibrous, and usually gritty. Grossly visible tumours almost invariably involve the liver, spleen and Bursa of Fabricius. Other organs often grossly involved include the kidney, lung, gonad, heart, bone marrow, and mesentery.

Carcass and viscera shall be condemned.

19.7.4.22 Carcasses Rejected by the Processing Plant Operator

For carcasses with minor lesions of certain conditions that do not warrant whole carcass condemnation, unaffected portions may be salvaged or reconditioned.

If an operator does not wish to market certain carcasses or derived portions otherwise considered fit for human consumption under the MIA (e.g., small carcasses, no salvaging facilities, high incidence of a condition in a flock), disposition will not be performed by the CFIA, and these carcasses shall not be recorded on the ante mortem and post mortem inspection reports.

19.7.4.23 Cyst Mites

Lesions may be detected on the underside of the skin during trimming. All carcasses from the affected lot shall be segregated and may either be discarded by the operator as plant rejects or be frozen by the operator, under a CFIA notice of detention, pending laboratory confirmation. Disposition (released or condemned) of all the carcasses from the detained lot shall be based on laboratory results of the submitted samples.

All carcasses from the affected flock are passed or condemned based on laboratory results.

19.7.4.24 Epidermal Cysts

Epidermal cysts appear as yellowish nodules of varying size located anywhere on the skin of a fowl carcass. Carcasses may be approved after removal of localized lessons. Carcasses with extensive lesions or where trimming is impractical are to be condemned.

19.7.4.25 Xanthomatosis

A massive accumulation of macrophages with fibrous tissues causes thickened yellowish areas of skin mainly on the thigh, breast and abdominal areas. Localized lesions are to be trimmed. Carcasses with extensive lesions or where trimming is impractical are to be condemned. As this is a rare condition, samples should be collected and sent to a laboratory to confirm the diagnosis if a large number of carcasses is affected.

19.7.4.26 Urolithiasis

The affected kidney/ureter is dilated and filled with clear mucus and white irregular uroliths. Carcasses are approved after the removal of the affected kidney/ureter. Carcasses and viscera with systemic effects, e.g., emaciation, are condemned.

19.7.4.27 Inspection of Suspect Turkeys for Pectoral Myopathy

19.7.4.27.1 Background

The condition is of no health significance to humans but for aesthetic reasons the affected muscular tissue shall be removed and condemned.

19.7.4.27.2 Requirements for the Deboning of Suspect Carcasses

This policy permits the inspection of suspect turkeys for pectoral myopathy in the deboning area of the plant under the following circumstances:

• Effective controls must be demonstrated according to a program approved by the CFIA and implemented by the operator;
• Suspect lots of turkeys will be identified prior to or at the post mortem inspection point. This identity must be maintained through to the point of deboning;
• Plant employees conducting deboning must receive adequate training to recognize carcasses affected with pectoral myopathy and to adequately remove all affected tissue. The deboning area must be equipped with an adequate number of knife sterilizers;
• All affected tissue must be retained and placed in containers for condemned material. Records must be kept of turkeys affected and weight of product condemned; and
• A system to notify inspection staff when affected carcasses are found must be instituted. Inspection staff will monitor the effectiveness of the inspection and trimming of affected tissue by employees.

The CFIA inspection staff will additionally monitor finished product and the deboning operation for evidence of non-compliance or missed affected tissue. Should this occur, effective corrective action must be taken or the inspector in charge may insist that all suspect carcasses be inspected for pectoral myopathy at the time of evisceration.

19.7.4.27.3 Interplant Shipping of Suspect Lots

Turkeys that are suspected of being affected with pectoral myopathy may be shipped to a processing plant for deboning. The requirements for deboning listed above shall be followed with the additional requirement that identity must be maintained from reception to deboning.

19.7.4.27.4 Approval Process

Control programs must be submitted by the operator to the Veterinarian in Charge for approval. Approved programs shall be copied to the Area Poultry Inspection Program Specialist. The operator is required to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the CFIA that plant employees have been adequately trained to recognize carcasses affected with pectoral myopathy during deboning and to remove all affected tissue. A statement to this effect signed by the operator and the VIC for the establishment is to be included with the copy to the area office.

19.7.4.28 Determination of the Number of Carcasses to Examine for In-depth Inspection of Suspect Poultry Carcasses

Organoleptic examination of carcasses is not always sufficient to detect all lesions. It is recommended that only a representative sub-set of "suspect" carcasses be examined. If no other lesions are found, then all other "suspect" carcasses can be released without further in-depth inspection. The following table illustrates the number of carcasses that need in-depth examination.

19.7.5 Veterinary Dispositions and Associated Reports

19.7.5.1 Veterinary Dispositions

Veterinary dispositions will not be performed by the CFIA unless the carcasses and viscera are presented by the operator so as to facilitate "hands-off" dispositions and the operator provides veterinary disposition work stations that comply with the applicable facility requirements described in Chapter 3 and 19 of this manual. Alternatively, the operator may elect to manually present the carcasses with their viscera to the veterinarian for a disposition. Common contact is permitted between carcasses on the racks, carousels, etc. provided that the pathology on the carcasses and/or viscera is readily visible so as to permit hands-off veterinary dispositions and the operator discards any carcasses not condemned by the veterinarian as plant rejects.

The industry helper, working next to the Inspector, is responsible for removing defective carcasses from the evisceration line and for recording the reason for rejecting each carcass as instructed by the CFIA inspector. The operator is responsible for discarding carcasses and their viscera following a veterinary disposition.

19.7.5.2 CFIA Condemnation and Rejection Reports

Effective April 1st, 2011, the CFIA switches from issuing or signing condemnation or rejection certificates for poultry to a "Poultry Condemnation Report" (CFIA/ACIA 5640), or to a "Poultry Rejection Process Control Evaluation Report" (CFIA/ACIA 5639), as applicable, for each lot of poultry for which the operator issues a Condemnation/Rejection report.

The comments section of the preceding reports may be used by the CFIA veterinarian for reporting on abnormal levels of condemnations or rejections, special lot conditions and/or new carcass deviations, or whenever a CFIA official performs carcass-by-carcass detailed veterinary inspections. Such carcasses entered on the CFIA report should be included in the related operator's condemnation/rejection report and must be included in the monthly report (CFIA/ACIA 5179, "Antemortem and Postmortem Inspection Report").

19.7.5.3 Operator's Condemnation/Rejection Reports

For the purposes of this sub-section, a lot of poultry refers to a truckload of live poultry or all of the poultry sourced from one producer/grower for a production shift or one floor of a barn, or whatever was agreed upon by the operator and the producer/grower.

The format of the industry condemnation/rejection report is left to the discretion of the operator. However, all of the information contained in the template for the disposition report (available from the VIC) should be contained in the document issued by the operator with the exception of the line "Total parts rejected (weight calculated in kg) (Optional)." Additional information may be added and the format modified to suit individual operator's needs.

An electronic version of the aforementioned template for the operator's report may be obtained by contacting one of the aforementioned industry associations or the local CFIA VIC.

19.7.5.3.1 Conditions to be Excluded from Operator's Condemnation/Rejection Reports

Carcasses with conditions listed in the following table:

• are to be handled by a designated industry employee;
• are not to be presented to the CFIA (unless requested by the VIC on a case-by-case basis);
• are not to be reported on the operator's "Condemnation/Rejection Report for Poultry"; and
• only "Extensive Bruising", "Found Dead" and "Inadequate Bleeding" are to be reported to the VIC for the monthly roll-up of all condemned carcasses.