Food > Meat and Poultry Products > Manual of Procedures >
Chapter 19
CHAPTER 19 ANNEX E: POULTRY REINSPECTION PROGRAM
Printer-friendly PDF version
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The purpose of the Canadian Poultry Reinspection Program is to provide standards and
methods to be used when determining the acceptability of poultry carcasses and parts. This
standard may be used for the reinspection of both imported and domestic shipments; and for
the monitoring of an establishments quality control program. This standard for fresh
and frozen poultry carcasses and parts derives its authority from the Meat Inspection
Act and Regulations.
This standard applies to fresh or frozen poultry carcasses and parts including young
and mature chicken, turkey, duck and goose.
The name of the product shall be that required in common usage in Canada and in
accordance with the Meat Inspection Act and Regulations. Nomenclature for poultry
parts may be found in the Meat Hygiene Manual of Procedures Chapter 7
"Cutting and labelling of poultry parts". For the purposes of this standard,
only product which conforms to this nomenclature shall be inspected.
The poultry carcass defects shall be considered as either minor, major or critical
depending on the associated safety risk. The specific defect definitions and their defect
classification are defined in the attached "Defect Criteria for Poultry Carcasses and
Parts".
The defects found in poultry carcasses or parts shall be classified as either
decomposition, unwholesomeness or workmanship related. The severity of the associated
defect is explained in this section, in addition to in the more specific "Defect
Criteria for Poultry Carcasses and Parts" section. Carcasses and parts shall be
considered defective when one or more of these conditions are encountered:
A poultry carcass or part shall be classified as decomposed when any part of the
carcass is affected by an "off-condition" identified by:
- Odours - Persistent and distinct off-odours in a poultry carcass such as: fruity,
vegetable, musty, sour, sour milk-like, faecal, ammonia or putrid smelling.
- Colour - Distinct green colour in a poultry carcass.
- Slime - Moist and sticky gelatinous-like carcass.
Note: Some slaughter methods (slack scald and ritual slaughter) may
leave wholesome carcasses that are slightly sticky to the touch. This should not be
characterized as slime for the purpose of these standards.
Any evidence of the above is considered as a critical defect, and shall result in
rejection of the lot.
- Pathology - A carcass or part shall be considered defective if there is any evidence
that it is affected by any pathology as defined in the Meat Hygiene Manual of
Procedures.
- Critical Extraneous Material - A sample unit shall be classified as critical and
rejected, when any of the following conditions are found:
- The presence of any material which has not been derived from poultry and which poses a
threat to human health (such as glass, etc.); or
- Distinct and persistent odour of any material which has not been derived from poultry
and which poses a threat to human health (such as solvents, fuel oil, etc.).
- Contamination - A carcass or part shall be considered defective if any bile, ingesta or
non-critical extraneous material is present. Faecal material shall result in rejection of
the lot.
- Other Defects - A sample unit shall be considered defective when any of the following
conditions are found:
- Dehydration (freezer burn) where more than 10% of the surface area is affected;
- Overscalded, dark coloured carcass and inadequate bleeding;
Any evidence of the above will be considered critical, major or minor as defined in the
attached defect criteria.
Those defects which are present as a result of poor workmanship and should have been
previously removed;
- Dressing/processing defects such as the presence of parts of the viscera or feathers;
- Trimming defects such as trimmable pathology, bruises and scabs;
- Bones in boneless poultry parts.
Any evidence of the above will be considered as a major or minor defect as defined in
the attached defect criteria.
- Acceptance Number (Ac) - The maximum number of defective units in the
sample permitting the lot to be accepted because of the requirements of this standard have
been met.
- Cull - The removal of individual product pieces affected with defects.
(Only permitted for domestic product. It is not permitted to cull or rework unsatisfactory
imported product. Refer to sub-section 10.4.4 (2)(D) of Chapter 10 of this Manual of
Procedures.)
- Defective unit - A defective unit is a sample unit whose subsample
exceeds the allowable number of defects as stated in the defect criteria.
- Inspection - The visual examination of a subsample of poultry carcasses
or parts for the presence of defects.
- Lot Size (N): - The number of containers (boxes/totes or combos)
similar in size, type and style which have been processed under identical conditions.
Specifically, the lot size may be the number of containers (boxes/totes or combos) from a
specified production period, or from an incoming or outgoing shipment.
- Sample Size (n): - The number of sample units comprising the total
sample drawn from the lot.
- Sample unit - The individual container (boxes/totes or combos)
that is examined as a separate unit.
- Subsample - A representative portion of the contents of the sample unit
withdrawn for the purpose of inspection.
The methodology described in this section outlines a procedure for the examination of
poultry carcasses and parts. The examination shall be made of products of a defined lot
(N), in the fresh or tempered state for decomposition, wholesomeness and workmanship
related defects.
The establishment is required to present the lot in a manner that:
- Its placement ensures the safety of the inspector;
- Each unit in the lot has an equal chance of being selected for the sample;
- The lot is distributed uniformly to facilitate the verification of the lot size;
- The main panel of each shipping container is plainly visible to the inspector;
- Its placement allows adequate space for the inspector to select samples and visually
examine the lot for transportation damage.
The inspector shall conduct an overall inspection of the lot which includes general
condition, label and count verification, and accuracy of any related documentation.
The inspector shall thoroughly examine all carcasses and parts as specified under
section E.6.5.2 "Poultry carcasses packaged in boxes or totes" or E.6.5.3
"Poultry carcasses or parts packaged in bulk combos", and:
- All defects from the lot shall be recorded, removed, and identified with the carcass,
part and sample unit, from which they were found;
- If the lot is rejected, all defects found, their respective carcasses or parts, and the
sample unit from which they where found, shall be saved should an examination of the
defects be requested;
- If the lot is accepted, all defects found in inspected product shall be discarded;
- Poultry carcasses or parts found free of defect upon inspection shall be returned to the
lot.
E.6.5.1 Sampling of lots for the sensory examination of the product shall be in
accordance with the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Sampling Plan for Prepackaged Foods (AQL
6.5) (CAC/RM 42-1969), Inspection Level II.
E.6.5.2 Poultry carcasses or parts packaged in boxes or totes
- The sample unit shall consist of a box or tote.
- Calculate the number of boxes or totes in the lot (N).
- Using the label weight to determine the net weight of a box or tote, pick out the number
of boxes / totes required under the sampling plan selected from tables E.8.1 or E.8.2
according to the average net weight of the boxes or totes.
- The sampling plans dictate the minimum sample size (n) to be taken. The inspector
chooses the samples at random as explained in the random sampling procedure (MOP
10.4.6.(9)). If necessary in the opinion of the inspector, more than the minimum sample
size specified may be taken, provided that it corresponds to a sampling level from table
E.8.1 or E.8.2. In the case of an import shipment, the boxes shall be pre-selected by the
import tracking system.
- The sample unit must be sufficiently tempered to permit a thorough inspection.
- From each sample unit choose a representative subsample consisting of at least 10% of
the product.
- In each subsample examine the carcasses or parts for defects and if present assign them
as Critical, Major or Minor as defined in Section E.7 "Defect Criteria for Poultry
Carcasses and Parts". Any critical defect found will result in the rejection of
the lot. The presence in a subsample of at least a major defect or any two minor defects
will result in that corresponding sample unit being considered defective;
- Using the Acceptance (Ac) number corresponding to the level of the sampling plan
selected, determine the acceptability of the lot based on the number of defective sample
units. If this number is less than or equal to the acceptance number, the lot is accepted;
otherwise, the lot is deemed to fail.
- In the case of domestic product, if a lot fails using the appropriate sample plan due to
workmanship related conditions, the lot may be culled and re-inspected using the same
sampling plan previously used. However, under reinspection each subsample to be examined
shall comprise 20% of the product from the corresponding sample unit.
E.6.5.3 Poultry carcasses or parts packaged in bulk combos
- As per table E.8.3, a maximum of 13 combos are to be randomly sampled from the
lot. (A full combo is approximately 1000 kg). If the lot consists of less than 13 combos,
then each combo shall be inspected.
- The bulk combo must be tempered sufficiently to permit an inspection of a representative
sample.
- Take a representative 50 kg subsample* from each selected combo. (for random sampling
methods refer to sub-section 10.4.6(9) of Chapter 10 of this Manual of Procedures.)
- In each combo, examine the carcasses or parts for defects and if present assign them as
Critical, Major or Minor as defined in Section E.7 "Defect Criteria for Poultry
Carcasses and Parts". Any critical defect found will result in the rejection of
the lot. The presence of at least five Major defects, any ten Minor defects, or any
combination of Minor and Major defects totalling ten in any subsample, will result in that
corresponding combo being considered defective.
- Using the Acceptance (Ac) number corresponding to the number of combos in the lot,
determine the acceptability of the lot based on the number of defective sample units. If
this number is less than or equal to the acceptance number, the lot is accepted;
otherwise, the lot is deemed to fail.
- In the case of domestic product, if a lot fails under this inspection procedure due to
workmanship related conditions, the lot may be culled and re-inspected by repeating the
above steps. However, for the purpose of re-inspection, the subsample selected from each
combo is now to be twice the original weight and the criteria for the acceptance of the
lot is to be adjusted proportionally.
* If less than a full combo is selected, take a representative subsample for inspection
corresponding to 5% of the combos by weight. Any critical defect found will
result in the rejection of the lot. The presence of at least d Major defects, any 2d Minor
defects or any combination of 2d (Major and Minor) defects in the subsample, will result
in that combo being considered defective.
![This image is an equation that says: Combo unit weight (kilogram), divided by 200. This equation equals d.](/web/20061212061935im_/http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/meavia/mmopmmhv/chap19/images/annexee.jpg)
Note: d and 2d are rounded up to the next whole number.
TYPE |
DESCRIPTION |
CLASSIFICATION |
Decomposition "Off-Conditions" |
|
Persistent and distinct off-odours in a poultry carcass. |
Critical |
|
Distinct green colour in a poultry carcass. |
Critical |
|
Moist and sticky gelatinous-like carcass surface. Note: Some
slaughter methods (slack scald and ritual slaughter) may leave wholesome carcasses that
are slightly sticky to the touch. This should not be characterized as slime for the
purpose of this program. |
Critical |
Unwholesomeness |
|
Extraneous material > 3mm will result in rejection of the lot. For example: Glass,
wood, metal, etc. |
Critical |
Extraneous material covering an area > 25 mm in the largest dimension. For
example: Grease, unattached feathers, bile remnants, yolk, crop contents, ingesta, stains
or specks too numerous to count, which cover an area greater than 25 mm. Whole spleen
and/or gall bladder. |
Major |
Extraneous material covering an area = 25 mm in the largest dimension. For example:
Grease, unattached feathers, bile remnants, yolk, crop contents, ingesta, stains or specks
too numerous to count, which cover an area greater than 25 mm. Whole spleen and/or gall
bladder. |
Minor |
|
Each incidence of 26 hairs = 6 mm per sub-sample counts as one defect. |
Minor |
|
Any material (solid, liquid or stain), determined to be from the lower
gastrointestinal tract. |
Critical |
|
Any evidence of pathological lesions such as cellulitis, salpingitis, tumours,
airsacculitis or peritonitis. |
= 5 Major defects |
|
Sores, scabs, or inflamed wounds >13 mm in the largest dimension or a cluster of
smaller lesions in close proximity covering a surface > 13mm. Sores, scabs, or
inflamed wounds measuring in their largest dimension 3 to 13mm. |
Major Minor |
Workmanship |
|
A black, blue, or green bruise > 25 mm in the greatest dimension. A black, blue,
or green bruise, 6 to 25 mm in the greatest dimension.
Bruises other than black and/or green > 13mm
*Very small bruises other than black and/or green less than 13 mm (dime size) and areas
showing only slight reddening shall not be counted as defects. |
Major Minor
Minor |
|
Portion = 6mm. |
Minor |
|
Any identifiable portion |
Minor |
|
Recognizable fragment up to and including both lobes |
Minor |
|
Inflamed tissue, fluid or pus filled |
Minor |
|
Any compound fracture (not including the rib cage) |
Minor |
|
Extensive mutilation |
Minor |
|
Bursa of Fabricus or any identifiable portion. |
Minor |
|
Any complete crop Any portion of the crop that includes the mucosal lining |
Major Minor |
|
Any identifiable portion of intestine or cloaca Any identifiable portion of
esophagus, proventriculus or gizzard. |
= 5 Major defects Minor |
|
Complete coverage of the tibial-tarsal articulation = 3mm. (both condyles covered). |
Minor |
- Kidneys or testes/ovaries
|
Kidneys or testes/ovaries in chickens weighing greater than 2 kg or ducks greater than
3 kg. |
Minor |
|
Reproductive organs in spent fowl. |
Minor |
|
In the case of boneless poultry parts. Any bone > 1cm.
Any identified bone 3mm to 1cm. |
Major
Minor |
|
- 25 mm or less: - Score each multiple of 8 as one defect.
- Greater than 25 mm: - Score each multiple of 2 as one defect.
|
Minor Minor |
|
Heads on dressed carcasses not designated as "head and feet attached". |
Major |
LEVEL |
LOT SIZE (N) |
SAMPLE SIZE (n) |
Ac |
1 |
2400 or less |
13 |
2 |
2 |
2,401 to 15,000 |
21 |
3 |
3 |
15,001 to 24,000 |
29 |
4 |
4 |
24,001 to 42,000 |
48 |
6 |
5 |
42,001 to 72,000 |
84 |
9 |
LEVEL |
LOT SIZE (N) |
SAMPLE SIZE (n) |
Ac |
1 |
600 or less |
13 |
2 |
2 |
601 to 2,000 |
21 |
3 |
3 |
2,001 to 7,200 |
29 |
4 |
4 |
7,201 to 15,000 |
48 |
6 |
5 |
15,001 to 24,000 |
84 |
9 |
LEVEL |
LOT SIZE (N) |
SAMPLE SIZE (n) |
Ac |
1 |
2 or less |
all |
0 |
2 |
3 to 8 |
all |
1 |
3 |
9 to 12 |
all |
2 |
4 |
13 or Greater |
13 |
2 |
Example 1)
17,990 kg of whole chicken carcasses packed in 18 kg boxes.
If in the opinion of the inspector, a larger sample size should be selected from this
lot, then a random sample of 29 boxes could be selected for inspection and rated for
defects as above and a decision taken on the acceptability of the lot based on the
corresponding Acceptance number of 4.
Example 1)
Five bulk combos of poultry carcasses containing approximately 1000 kg per combo.
Example 2)
One bulk combo containing 500 kg of poultry parts.
- The combo must be thawed sufficiently to permit inspection;
- Since in this case the sample unit is less than 1000 kg, take a representative sample
consisting of 5% of the total weight of the combo;
- Sample size is, 500 kg x .05 = 25 kg;
- Examine the poultry parts for defects and assign them as Critical, Major or Minor as
defined in the "Defect Criteria for Poultry Carcasses and Parts" section
of the Canadian Poultry Standard; The findings are as follows: 1 Major and 4 Minor defects
- Calculate the accept and reject criteria using the formula from the Canadian Poultry
Standard E.6.5.3. The number of major defects accepted is 500kg/200 = 2.5, rounded up to
3. The number of minor defects accepted is 5 (2 X 2.5);
- For this example, the sample will pass, since the defects found fall within the accept
criteria which was calculated at 3 Major, 5 Minor defects or any combination of 5 Major
and Minor defects.
|