Veterinary public health and food safety:
Meat Hygiene: Prevention and control of chemical
contaminants and drug residues in red meat
Author: Prof Cheryl McCrindle
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
Introduction
The
The Codex Alimentarius or “Food Code” Commission
professions in monitoring and implementing control
(Codex for short) is the global reference point on
measures for chemical contaminants and residues in
residues and contaminants in food, for consumers,
red meat products will be emphasized. Veterinary
producers and processors. It was established by the
certification of imports and exports as well as
FAO and WHO in 1963 and its aim is to develop
laboratory testing will be explained and discussed.
harmonised
standards,
guidelines
and
codes
role
of
the
veterinary
and
paraveterinary
of
practice to protect the health of consumers and ensure
The module will promote an understanding of the
fair practices in the international food trade. It also
salient
coordinates food standards and testing methods
residues and contaminants in red meat, as mentioned
internationally
for
in Codex documents and South African legislation.
residues
pesticides
of
food
hygiene,
and
food
additives,
veterinary
import
and
export
inspection
on
preventing
and
controlling
drugs,
contaminants, labeling, methods of analysis and
sampling,
guidelines
and
certification.
Other relevant information
 Meat hygiene: Zoonoses and red meat processing
 Meat hygiene: Integrated food safety management
principles for red meat
This module will define what is meant by a residue or
chemical contaminant and explain why monitoring is
important for food safety. Precautions which should be
taken along the food chain to control or prevent
 Meat hygiene: Humane harvesting and welfare
auditing in red meat processing
 Meat
remedies and scheduled drugs in production animals
will be explained.
Biosecurity
and
environmental
impacts of red meat production and processing.
residues and contaminants in red meat will be
discussed. The principles for responsible use of stock
hygiene:
More information can be found under the topic
International
trade
and
marketing
of
animal
commodities and products:

General issues associated with international trade

Standards and norms associated with international
trade in animal commodities and products

Assuring the biological safety of animal production
(value) chains.