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Chapter 4 - Inspection procedures, dispositions, monitoring and controls

4.6 Postmortem inspection

Frequently, more than one inspector (PPI and/or veterinarian) is responsible for the complete postmortem examination of a given carcass. It is therefore very important that all inspectors perform and coordinate their individual functions as described in this chapter and in the respective training modules. A good system of communication and record keeping (including the results of antemortem inspection) is essential so that all inspectors have access to the necessary information on a given carcass. This will enable them to accurately assess each and every carcass.

Control over the carcass and its parts can only be maintained if there is full synchronization between carcasses on the rail and the viscera, with identification of other parts such as head, blood, tail, etc.

It is the responsibility of plant management to ensure that all carcasses and parts are presented for postmortem examination in such a way as to permit proper inspection (i.e. proper presentation of viscera, etc.). Plant management is also responsible for providing adequate facilities (adequate space, sufficient light, stand, etc.)

It is the responsibility of the inspection staff to take immediate action if management does not adhere to its responsibilities. Such action could be to demand that the rate of slaughter be slowed down, to temporarily suspend inspection services until management has corrected the situation, etc.

If a particular lymph node that routinely requires inspection is absent due to careless dressing procedure, immediate corrective action is required of plant management. This same procedure would apply to any other organ or part of a carcass not being presented for inspection.

Routine postmortem inspection of carcasses, other than poultry and rabbit, is based on the examination of heads and their lymph nodes, thoracic and abdominal viscera and their lymph nodes, and the exposed parts of the carcass. Rabbit and poultry carcasses and organs are routinely examined visually and by palpation. A more minute veterinary examination is made of organs and the carcass including body lymph nodes, where applicable, when significant abnormalities are observed during routine examination or when the carcass is that of an animal identified as a suspect on antemortem inspection.

Where a carcass is presented for post mortem inspection and it has been partially dressed under an approved procedure, a diligent post mortem inspection shall be performed to ensure that those organs and exposed carcass parts that are presented have no abnormalities present. Should any abnormality relating to a possible food safety concern be observed in the carcass or its parts, the veterinarian shall require that the partially dressed carcass be subjected to a full dressing procedure.

When postmortem inspection requires that a given lymph node be incised, it is essential that the incising be done by making several thin slices and pushing back the tissues with the blade of the knife so that the cut surfaces can be observed by the inspector. Hashing nodes by hacking or chopping is not an acceptable procedure.

For the purpose of identification of carcasses and their parts which require further examination, CFIA 1464 tags are to be used. These tags shall be used to identify the carcass, edible blood, head, feet and viscera, as necessary.

When a carcass or its parts are held, they are to remain under the inspector's supervision until disposed of in the prescribed manner. Diseased material shall be condemned and handled in such a way as to avoid contamination of meat intended for food. Contamination may occur either directly or indirectly via equipment.

Condemned meat products shall be identified by using a condemned tag (CFIA 1429). The condemned material shall be disposed of as soon as possible. When a carcass is condemned, no part of that carcass shall be approved for human food, including those previously harvested (blood, head, liver, etc.).

Postmortem findings are to be recorded on an CFIA 1434. When it is obvious that a portion will be condemned, it is still necessary to conduct the full routine inspection, e.g., incision of lymph nodes and masseter and internal pterygoid muscles is still required on a contaminated beef head.

Where inspectors are engaged in routine incision during postmortem inspection, the use of metal mesh gloves as a protection for the hand and fingers is permitted. It must, however, be understood that adequate palpation of organs by fingers encased in metal is not possible. Inspectors must employ a technique which uses unencased fingers or the non-gloved hand for palpation.

No objection is taken to the use of plastic or rubber gloves during the postmortem inspection of poultry, provided that the gloves are of a thickness that will not seriously affect sensitivity of the fingers during palpation.

In the case of red meat species, such gloves are not considered to be necessary except in the following instances:

• during postmortem inspection of Brucellosis reactors;
• when required to protect bandaged cuts, abrasions, etc., or other skin conditions on the hands;
• when a health reason can be demonstrated. For example, dermatitis caused by contact with animal tissues.

Good control through effective communication between antemortem and postmortem inspectors is essential. Inspectors on the slaughter floor must verify, via CFIA 1438 or drive cards, etc., that animals brought for slaughter have received antemortem inspection. Further controls are necessary in the case of animals that were "held" on antemortem inspection. Carcasses of such animals must receive veterinary inspection (see 1.6).

Suspected residues due to exposure of animals to chemicals or drugs:

• where a lot is known or suspected to have received uniform treatment, a minimum of 5 carcasses or the square root of larger lots are to be sampled;
• where individual animals are suspected, their carcasses are to be sampled and tested for the substance suspected;
• disposition of affected lots will be decided by the regional veterinarian in consultation with FAOD headquarters.

4.6.1 Postmortem inspection of cattle carcasses

Since the discovery of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada all operators involved in the slaughter of cattle regardless of the age of the animals slaughtered are required to implement additional control measures. These additional measures have been adopted by the Canadian government in order to prevent tissues that may contain BSE infectivity from entering the human food chain. The applicable control measures and associated inspection activities are described in Annex N.

To assure proper postmortem inspection of cattle carcasses using traditional inspection, the maximum rate of carcass presentation for inspection should not exceed 140 carcasses per hour.

(a) Head inspection

The head must be examined before the carcass has passed the final inspection station. The head shall be presented with all lymph nodes in situ and exposed for proper postmortem inspection. The inspection shall not commence until the head is clean, properly prepared, (free of hair, pieces of skin, contamination, horns, palatine tonsils removed, etc.) and presented in a satisfactory manner.

The inspector shall perform a visual examination to detect any dressing defect and abnormality. This visual examination should include the eyes and tongue.

The tongue shall be palpated to detect abscesses, actinobacillosis, and other abnormal conditions.Localized conditions, such as scars, sores and erosions shall be trimmed from the tongue.

Incisions shall be made through the centre of the internal pterygoid and external masseter muscles. Such incisions should be made parallel to the mandible and extend right through the muscles. This is done to detect parasitic lesions, but other lesions may be revealed as well.

The retropharyngeal medial, atlantal (retropharyngeal lateral), parotid and mandibular lymph nodes are to be exposed, examined visually and carefully incised. In every case, the head shall remain available for disposition until postmortem examination of the corresponding carcass is complete.

The inspector shall frequently check that all heads are properly identified with CFIA 1467's or by another system acceptable to the veterinarian-in-charge to maintain carcass-head identity.

In order to verify proper removal of specified risk materials, the inspector verifies the effectiveness and accuracy of age determination performed by the operator by examining the dentition of all carcasses of cattle during the inspection of the head. CFIA verification of dentition is not required when the age of the animal has been determined by documentation, unless Vet-in charge/delegate finds significant reasons to question the validity of the documentation ( see annex N of this chapter)

(b) Thoracic and abdominal viscera inspection

The lungs should be visually inspected and palpated to detect chronic pneumonia, abscesses, tumors, etc. The right and left bronchial, cranial and caudal mediastinal lymph nodes shall be incised and examined.

The liver shall receive a visual inspection and be thoroughly palpated. The hepatic lymph nodes shall be incised and examined. The hepatic ducts shall be opened longitudinally and inspected for the presence of liver flukes.

The exterior and interior of the heart (i.e. the valves and the endocardium) shall be visually inspected. The cut surface of the heart musculature of all cattle and calves over the age of six weeks shall be visually inspected by one of the following methods:

(i) By making one incision in the musculature that passes through the interventricular septum from base to apex in order to open the heart and expose both ventricules.

(ii) By everting the heart and making 3 shallow incisions in the heart musculature.

Any animals suspected of being affected with Cysticercus bovis or where the inspector or veterinarian considers that extra incisions of the heart are required to detect defects or reach a diagnosis shall be subject to extra inspection procedures as deemed necessary.

The mesenteric lymph nodes are to be visually examined. The mesenteric lymph nodes should only be incised by the line inspector when an animal is suspected of being affected with Mycobacterium bovis or when a carcass is held for veterinary examination or when the inspector or veterinarian have found lesions in other lymph nodes during the routine inspection.

The spleen shall be visually examined and palpated; it may be incised if a complete examination is found to be necessary. Kidneys may be examined, either in the carcass or on the viscera table; in either case they shall be fully exposed by the operator prior to inspection and visually examined by the inspector.

A visual examination should be made of the oesophagus. Whenever lesions suspicious of cysticercus infestation are found elsewhere in the carcass, the oesophagus shall be subjected to a thorough examination. The reticulum, rumen, omasum and abomasum are to be visually inspected. The rumino-reticular junction shall be visually examined to detect any abnormalities that may affect this area of the gastro-intestinal tract such as existing inflammatory conditions, abscesses, presence of protruding foreign bodies as a result of reticular puncture, etc.

An examination shall also be carried out of omental, mesenteric, and any other fatty tissues being saved for edible purposes to ensure freedom from contamination.

There shall be synchronization and identification control between the viscera and the carcass until inspection of both has been completed. Care must be taken to ensure that the viscera of one carcass do not come in contact with those of another until inspection is completed.

Products unsatisfactory for human food which are harvested for animal food must be segregated from products approved for human consumption.

(c) Carcass inspection

The inspection of the carcass is performed after the viscera have been removed and the carcass has been split, but before trimming and washing. The dressed carcass shall be subjected to a careful inspection, externally and internally. A dedicated inspection station as specified in chapter 2 shall be provided for the routine on-line carcass inspection.

Although the visual inspection of the joints and outer muscular surfaces will reveal most lesions, the body cavities, the diaphragm and its pillars, the peritoneum, the pleura and the neck shall be observed during the routine on-line carcass inspection. If the kidneys have been left in the carcass, they shall be observed.

When significant deviations from the normal are observed, the dressed carcass and all its corresponding detached parts shall be held and referred to a veterinarian for final inspection and disposition. (Specific guidance can be found in Training Module A-10 "Basic Post Mortem Pathology of Beef/Veal."). It should be noted that it is permissible for an operator to dispose as condemned material of stomachs and intestines that appear normal instead of holding them, when satisfactory holding facilities are unavailable by mutual agreement with the VIC. Veterinary examination includes assessing the degree of involvement in the case of many diseases and conditions. In order to determine if a disease or condition is localized or generalized, the appropriate lymph nodes shall be examined. These may include prepectoral, prescapular, renal, superficial inguinal, supramammary, internal iliac, prefemoral, popliteal, and sacral.

(d) Spinal cord removal

The spinal cord must be completely removed from all split cattle carcasses before they leave the evisceration area. Particular attention needs to be paid to the extremities of the vertebral canal, since it is usually in these areas that pieces of spinal cord are found. The operator will have a written protocol in place for the trimming procedures applicable to mis-split, including corrective measures to be taken in the event there is a high incidence of mis-split. The meat inspection legend will only be applied to the carcass after all pieces of spinal cord have been removed.

Removal of spinal cord from carcasses of cattle that are thirty months of age and older (OTM) is an essential component of CFIA’s Specified Risk Materials policy (see details in Annex N). This dressing procedure is sometimes performed after CFIA carcass inspection station. In such cases CFIA will verify the removal of the entire spinal cord through the appropriate MCAP task. If an operator regularly fails to remove all spinal cord tissue from carcasses before they leave the evisceration area, CFIA will require the spinal cord be removed before CFIA’s carcass inspection station.

(e) Tuberculosis/Brucellosis

(i) Compensation for animals ordered slaughtered

Under the Health of Animals Regulations, animals may be ordered to be destroyed and compensation paid. In some situation, e.g. brucellosis reactors or tuberculosis non-reactors from herds being depopulated because of tuberculosis, the animal is required to be destroyed by slaughter at an abattoir. The compensation payment shall be the market value of the animal, subject to the maximum amount allowable, less an amount equal to the value of its carcass. [Health of Animal Act, section 51(2)] To implement this policy, the following procedures have been adopted:

Veterinarians in Charge shall fill out CFIA 4203 (Notice, Requirement to dispose and award of compensation) immediately after the slaughter of an animal ordered to be slaughtered. The Veterinarian in Charge provides responsible Area Animal Health Program Specialist with live weight of the animal or dressed weight of the carcass, depending on the basis of payment at the abattoir.

The Veterinarian in Charge shall also inform the Responsible Area Animal Health Program Specialist of the total amount of money paid to the farmer by plant management, supported by a copy of the invoice under which the payment was made. This can be on an individual basis in the case of a single animal ordered slaughtered, or on a collective basis in the case of more than one animal ordered slaughtered.

In case a farmer has sent animals ordered to be slaughtered and animals not ordered to be slaughtered in the same lot, management should be requested to issue separate payment invoices for the two groups. The identification and carcass value of each animal ordered slaughtered is required to be recorded on the payment invoice.

In case of herd depopulation, special arrangements have to be made between the farmer and plant management, in close consultation with the Veterinarian in Charge, the District Veterinarian and the Responsible Area Animal Health Program Specialist.

(ii) Handling of animals ordered slaughtered

On receipt of an animal ordered to be slaughtered, the following procedure should be followed:

All animals ordered slaughtered shall be accompanied by a copy of form CFIA 1509 and each animal should bear appropriate identification e.g. eartag. The number on the identification device should be checked against the number recorded on the form to ensure that they correspond. The total number of animals received should also correspond with the number recorded on the form. The truck used for the delivery of animals ordered slaughtered shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and form CFIA 1486 shall be issued before permission is given for the removal of the truck from the plant premises.

Animals ordered to be slaughtered shall be put in an isolation pen, which is used specifically for such animals or suspects, and so located that they take the shortest possible route to the kill floor. Although thorough cleaning and disinfection of this pen and alley are advisable each time they are used, some flexibility may be exercised if weather conditions are such that cleaning would be impossible, e.g. very cold weather.

(iii) Specimen submission from animals ordered slaughtered

When granulomatous lesions similar to those caused by M. bovis are detected in carcasses from animals ordered slaughtered under the Tuberculosis program, the lesions shall be submitted to A.D.R.I (Nepean) for histology and, if applicable, culture and typing.

T.B. kits, containing formaldehyde and sodium borate are to be used for sending these specimens. Granulomatous lesions from these animals are classified as infectious material under the Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations and must be handled and shipped according to specifications of Animal Health Manual of Procedures, Section XVIII.

The requirement for submission of lesions from these animals may be waived for a particular herd, once infection with M. bovis or M. tuberculosis has been established. The Animal Health field staff should mark on the licence for slaughter, CFIA 1509, when lesion submission is no longer necessary.

(iv) Market cattle testing program

This Program is designed to provide a screening procedure for the detection of brucellosis in cattle, with a minimum of inconvenience to the owner and a minimum cost to the Department.

Back tags are applied to cattle before their consignment for slaughter. Back-tagging is carried out at commission auctions, consignment sales, stockyards or any other place where cattle are assembled for market purposes. All brucellosis-susceptible cattle intended for slaughter, and whose herd of origin can be determined, are tagged for identification.

When an animal with a back tag is slaughtered, an inspector collects a blood sample from that animal. The back tag may be removed from the animal, for reference in completing form CFIA 1566. The best time to collect blood samples is at the beginning of the bleeding of the animal.

The back tag number, along with any eartag number, shall be recorded on form CFIA 1566.

All samples collected, together with copies of form CFIA 1566, shall be forwarded to the laboratory as frequently as deemed necessary by the Veterinarian in Charge (be it at the end of the day or at the end of the week).

(v) Specimen submission from animals not ordered slaughtered

All granulomatous and tuberculosis-like lesions found on postmortem inspection of cattle slaughtered as part of the regular kill shall be submitted to A.D.R.I., (Nepean) for laboratory examination. Histopathology is conducted on all specimens, and cultures are performed when indicated.

T.B. kits are to be used for shipping samples. Specimens from these animals are not classified under the Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations, but must comply with the provisions for transport of formaldehyde as specified in Animal Health Directive 86-05.

4.6.2 Postmortem inspection of hog carcasses

This section describes the methods to be used under the traditional inspection system. The approach for the High Line Speed Inspection System (HLIS) in swine is described in Annex M of this chapter. Section 83 (3) of the Meat Inspection Regulations, MIR provides authority for the veterinarian to direct either the operator or an inspector in the removal the blood of a carcasses, a carcass or portions of a carcass demonstrating certain deviations from normal appearance without being referred to the veterinarian for detailed examination.

(a) Head inspection

The head shall be presented for inspection, attached or separated from the carcass. A visual examination of the head shall be made to detect abnormalities such as enlargements, distortions, etc. The mandibular lymph nodes shall be incised and examined. Improperly dressed heads must either be condemned or skinned on the kill floor.

(b) Viscera inspection

The intestines, stomach, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes in the area of the ileum, left bronchial lymph node, portal lymph node, lungs, liver, kidneys and heart are to be visually examined. Some manipulation may be necessary to perform this inspection. Kidneys can be presented for inspection either in the carcass or with the other viscera on the viscera table. They must be fully exposed prior to inspection.

N.B.: For establishments exporting pork to the European Union (E.U.) or countries demanding inspection to E.U. requirements, additional inspection may be required as detailed in Chapter 11.

(c) CFIA Carcass Rail Inspection

Carcasses shall be split prior to receiving CFIA final inspection except where the operator has made application to process certain specified carcass (e.g. BBQ pork) lots in accordance with the provisions of the Meat Inspection Regulations and section 4.3.4 (a) and (b) and 4.5.2 (g) of the MOP. Where a carcass has qualified for this type of partial dressing, those surfaces that are normally exposed by the splitting procedure will not receive post mortem inspection. If any abnormalities are observed on the exposed parts of the presented carcass or its portions that may relate to food safety the carcass shall be immediately disqualified from being approved as a partially dressed carcass and shall be subject to a complete dressing procedure and presented for normal post mortem inspection procedures.

Whenever a carcass is found to have a condition that necessitates the removal of a "CFIA/Operator managed portion" [see section 4.6.2(d)(i)], the carcass shall be uniquely marked or tagged to ensure that it will be railed out onto the company held rail. Identification of these carcasses shall be distinct from the identification of carcasses held for veterinary examination.

Whenever a carcass is found to have a pathological condition which necessitates veterinary inspection, the inspector shall mark or tag the carcass as "held" so the carcass will be railed out onto a separate veterinary held rail for subsequent veterinary inspection. Depending on the nature of the condition and in accordance with section 4.7 it may also be necessary to hold the offal and viscera of the affected carcasses.

(d) Held Rail Inspection:

The operator shall provide 2 separate held rails for the purpose of managing retained carcasses. Carcasses placed on the Operator Held rail shall be of two types for the purposes of managing and removing portions that are affected by certain conditions that are deemed to be inedible. These 2 categories shall be referred to as i) CFIA/Operator managed portions and ii) Operator managed portions (see below). Carcasses placed on the veterinary held rail shall be for veterinary disposition purposes only.

i) CFIA/Operator Managed Portions:

These are carcass portions that are affected with conditions that do not meet edible standards and are generally the result of visible pathological conditions that do not pose a significant food safety risk. Under the current traditional inspection system, a CFIA inspector will detect and identify carcasses with these conditions. CFIA will not provide continuous direct oversight of the activities occurring on the CFIA/Operator rail. However at least once per shift CFIA will validate that the activities relating to portion removal and carcass control are being properly applied. The following list of conditions is currently deemed to be a joint CFIA/Operator-managed responsibility:

• Bruising or fracture without necrosis
• Tarsal arthropathy (swelling of one or two joints)
• Thickening of the skin
• Melanosis
• Localized swelling
• Contact dermatitis
• Ringworm
• Hydronephrosis and renal cysts
• Granulomatous lymphadenitis detected at a single primary site
• Atrophic rhinitis (without purulent nasal discharge)
• Abcessed head

ii) Operator Managed Portions:

The operator is fully responsible for dressing carcasses in the prescribed manner as well as detecting and removing all dressing defects as well as certain prescribed minor pathologies. These defects or deviations can be removed on the main evisceration line or on the company held rail as long as both procedures meet acceptable sanitary practices. Where these defects pose a food safety risk or a regulatory infraction, such as in the case of visible contamination, the controls necessary for ensuring the complete removal of these affected portions must be defined by the establishment’s HACCP system.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of examples of dressing defects and minor pathologies that must be treated as part of the establishment’s processing procedure:

• Cutaneous lesions resulting from processing (overscalding, mutilation)
• Defects in the dehairing process, resulting in the need to remove the skin
• Contamination; hair, stains (bile, oil etc), gastro-intestinal contents, etc.
• Minor bruising
• Any dry adhesions

Removal of all conditions listed in i) and ii) above are an operator responsibility. The financial settlement process for portions removed under these two categories is now a privatized function established through a commercial agreement between provincial pork producer marketing authorities, the producer and the processor.

(iii) CFIA /Veterinary Managed Conditions:

Under the traditional inspection system or the HLIS system, all carcasses which are identified with a pathological condition which necessitates veterinary inspection shall be removed from the main rail to the veterinary held rail in accordance with section 4.7.

There shall be no contact between visibly contaminated carcasses on the veterinary held rail until the veterinary examination is completed and final disposition is determined. The veterinarian makes a case-by-case diagnosis for these carcasses and a disposition is made in compliance with section 4.7. Where partial approval is given, the veterinarian ensures that the parts to be eliminated are completely removed by the operator before the carcass leaves the held rail. Condemned carcasses and all their parts must remain under inspectional control until the operator disposes of them in accordance with the veterinarian’s instructions

Where the veterinarian condemns a carcass and where a certificate is required, the operator shall note the weight of the carcass as well as any identifying marks and provide them to the veterinarian prior to disposition.

In the case of portion condemnations by CFIA the removed parts may be weighed and recorded by the operator, The veterinarian will not monitor the weighing or collection of information by the operator and no CFIA certificate will be issued. As in the case of operator-managed portions, the CFIA is not involved in the commercial settlement process that occurs between the producer and the processor.

(e) Inspection procedures for boars, stags, ridglings and other hog carcasses affected with pronounced sexual odour

(i) Boars

"Boar" means a male hog that has one or more external testicles and is not a ridgling.

Boars shall be slaughtered at the beginning or end of the killing operation. On the held rail, the carcasses shall be checked for strong urine and pronounced sexual odour.

If no pronounced odour is present, the carcass is approved and a letter "B" is stamped on the hams, bellies, loins and shoulders. If further testing is necessary, the carcass is held on the held rail of the cooler and heat-tested the next day. If pronounced odour is present, the carcass and viscera are to be condemned. Heat tests may be conducted by boiling or frying representative samples of tissues or by applying heated irons in the scrotum, loin and jowl areas.

Another method of testing consists of putting two small pieces of dorsal fat and leaf lard, weighing not more than 50 g, into a plastic bag, similar to those used for smoked meats. The sealed bags are placed in boiling water until the fat starts melting. The top of the bag is then cut open and the contents are tested for odours.

Meat from boar carcasses shall not be exported except to the U.S., Japan, Mexico, South Africa and Bermuda. Dressed carcasses (head included) weighing under 90 kg (light boars) shall be cut separately. Cartons shall be identified with the word "BOAR" written after the product description on the main panel, if the meat is shipped to other registered establishments. This identification is not necessary for meat from light boars directly entering retail trade channels or being exported to the countries where it is permitted.

Dressed carcasses (head included) over 90 kg shall be boned at the establishment or in another registered establishment and the cartons shall bear the word "BOAR" in the product description, (e.g. boneless boar shoulders) unless intended for export to countries where it is permitted.

The meat from these boars will be permitted only as an ingredient in spiced, prepared meat products. Boar carcasses shall be recorded on form CFIA 1433, using code number 064.

(ii) Ridglings

"Ridgling" means a male hog that has one or more undescended testicles.

Shall be handled like boars and if approved, stamped at the same locations with a letter "R".

(iii) Stags and other hog carcasses affected with a pronounced sexual odour

"Stag" means a mature male hog that has been castrated prior to slaughter. These should be treated and adjudged in the same manner as boars.

4.6.3 Postmortem inspection of poultry carcasses

See chapter 19

Note: for inspection procedures for ratites, see Sec. 4.6.3(a), Ratites, below

4.6.3(a) Ratites (ostriches, rhea, emu)

(i) Inspection stations

Inspection sites shall be equipped with hand wash and knife sanitizer facilities as per Chapter 2, Section 2.6.3, a minimum of 800 lux lighting as per chapter 2, section 2.6.8 and suitable stainless steel trays or viscera trucks as used for large calves.

(ii) Viscera inspection

The abdominal and thoracic air sacs should be observed in situ. The heart is observed, palpated, and incised through the interventricular septum to expose the inner surfaces for observation. The lungs are observed and palpated on all external surfaces. The liver and spleen are observed and palpated. The kidneys are observed with the carcass (in situ), then removed to an inspection tray and palpated. The head, eyes, sinus openings, neck and all visceral organs, including the oesophagus and gizzard, must be observed. The neck, heart, gizzard, and liver may be salvaged as edible if handled and processed in a sanitary manner.

Kidneys shall be condemned unless growers/processors desire to save kidneys as edible and provide data indicating that levels of heavy metals (primarily Cadmium) are within a range acceptable to Health Canada.

(iii) Carcass inspection

Internal and external carcass surfaces are observed. The inspection legend shall be applied prior to entry into the cooler.

4.6.4 Postmortem inspection of calf carcasses

The inspection for cysticercus bovis may be omitted in the case of calves under six weeks old.

For calves older than 6 weeks of age and meeting the CFIA criteria (Section 4.5.4) of milk-fed or grain-fed veal, and for which incision of the external masseter muscles is undesirable for marketing reasons, follow all other postmortem procedures applied to cattle with two exceptions:

1) incisions of the external masseter muscles are not performed unless the animal is suspected of being infected with Cysticercus bovis; and

2) make three additional incisions from the internal (endocardial) surface of the heart, following the currently implemented routine inspection of the heart.

All other postmortem procedures are identical to those for cattle including the examination of mesenteric lymph nodes.

Refer to Chapter 5 for information respecting the disposition of veal carcasses with evidence of hormonal growth promotants.

4.6.5 Postmortem inspection of sheep, lamb and goat carcasses

Routine inspection procedures consist of a visual examination of the dressed carcass and viscera, together with routine incision of the mandibular and portal lymph nodes and the bile ducts. In addition, the mesenteric and superficial body lymph nodes, the lungs, heart and liver are to be routinely palpated and, if any abnormality is detected, they shall be incised.

N.B. It is no longer necessary to routinely incise the masseter muscles.

For partially dressed lambs weighing less than 25 kg the routine postmortem inspection can be modified as follows:

1. A visual examination of the mesenteric lymph nodes

2. A visual examination of the mandibular lymph nodes and superficial carcass lymph nodes

3. Incision of the bile ducts.

All other inspection procedures should remain the same.

All other inspection procedures should remain the same. The spinal cord shall have been completely removed from split carcasses.

4.6.6 Postmortem inspection of horse carcasses

The inspection of the head must also include the guttural pouch. Careful examination must be made of the abdominal walls for encysted parasites, of the neck region for fistulous conditions near the first two cervical vertebrae, and of the axillary and subscapular spaces of white and grey horses for melanosis. All other inspection procedures are similar to those for cattle, except that an examination for C. bovis and liver flukes is not required. Neither is routine incision of mesenteric lymph nodes. The lymph nodes are to be examined visually and palpated. Any abnormality that is detected by either of these procedures shall be further investigated by incision.  The spinal cord shall have been completely removed from split carcasses.

N.B. Due to the high cadmium content found in horse kidneys and livers, those portions shall no longer be approved for human consumption in registered establishments.

4.6.7 Postmortem inspection of carcasses of domesticated rabbits

See chapter 19

4.6.8 Postmortem inspection of reindeer, caribou and musk ox carcasses

(a) Head inspection

In the case where heads and/or tongues are not saved for human consumption, it will be sufficient to visually examine the head to detect any gross abnormality. Otherwise, mandibular lymph nodes shall be exposed, examined visually and then incised, and the tongue palpated.

(b) Thoracic and abdominal viscera inspection

The lungs shall be visually inspected and palpated. Associated lymph nodes shall be incised and examined. Special attention should be given to presence of hydatid cysts.

The liver shall be visually inspected and palpated. Both liver flukes and cysticerci may be expected.

Hearts shall be examined visually and then incised longitudinally by at least four deep incisions to permit visual inspection for parasitic and other lesions.

Mesenteric lymph nodes shall be visually examined and palpated.

Kidneys shall be exposed and examined visually.

(c) Carcass inspection

A careful examination of the internal and external surfaces of the dressed carcass shall take place prior to washing of the carcass. Visual inspection shall include the joints, outer muscle surface, the body cavities, the diaphragm and its pillars. Incision of the pillars of the diaphragm will assist in the detection of Cysticercus bovis.

The prefemoral lymph node shall be palpated to detect pathology resulting from warble migration.

N.B. Facilities for the dressing and postmortem inspection of feral musk-ox, caribou and reindeer under federal government inspection may be exempted from requirements of Section 28 of the Meat Inspection Regulations, 1990, if they are provided outside a registered establishment. Adequate facilities to permit sanitary dressing, inspection and handling as well as satisfactory welfare facilities and accommodation for the inspection staff and employees must nevertheless be provided by the operator.

4.6.9 Bacteriological monitoring

(a) Bacteriological monitoring (pathogenic and potential pathogenic organisms)

Quality control is the responsibility of the operator. The inspector of an establishment must assure that quality control measures in the establishment are performed satisfactorily. Deviations in processing methods that may result in unsatisfactory product, e.g., possible contamination of the processing line or raw materials, insufficient heat exposure during cooking or smoking, possible contamination of the processing line, extended storage, etc., should be checked by plant management using their own quality control laboratory to elucidate conditions and make necessary corrections. When plant management is convinced the product meets acceptable standards, check samples should be taken and examined by departmental laboratories for confirmation.

Check samples should consist of five subsamples and should be forwarded to laboratories, as specified in 5.7.4.

As the capacity of the laboratories is limited, the submission of samples should first be cleared with the regional office.

(b) Salmonella in poultry

See chapter 19

(c) Salmonella in inedible rendered products

The protein fraction of inedible, rendered products is known to be a major source of salmonella contamination. The heat of the rendering process effectively destroys salmonella present in the raw material, however, finished product is frequently recontaminated before it is shipped from the plant. Efforts must therefore be directed to prevent recontamination.

Raw material and finished product areas must be strictly separated. Utensils used in one area must be confined to that area and should be easily recognizable (colour or shape) as clean or septic. Cleaning and disinfecting of septic utensils for use in the clean area should not be permitted. Employees working in one area should be restricted to that area. Traffic between the areas should be restricted to a minimum and a bath for disinfecting footwear before entering the clean area should be provided. Attention should also be paid to air movement and potential contamination from dust particles.

Protein concentrates are monitored by CFIA at feed mills and rendering plants. Positive lots are traced to the producer plant. If a plant is notified of a positive lot, the sanitation procedures should be reviewed by plant management and the Inspector in Charge. Management shall make the required corrections. Check samples will be taken by a CFIA Inspector.