The Minced Meat and Meat Preparations (Hygiene) Regulations 1995

Regulation 7(1)(c) and (2)(b)

SCHEDULE 4 Conditions for the production of minced meat

1.  Before mincing or cutting up, meat shall be examined and all soiled and suspect parts shall be removed and condemned.

2.  The following may not be used for the production of minced meat—

(a) scrap cuttings, scrap trimmings or mechanically recovered meat;

(b) meat referred to in Part IX of Schedule 10 to the Fresh Meat Regulations, Part II of Schedule 9 to the Poultry Meat Regulations or Part II of Schedule 5 to the Wild Game Meat Regulations;

(c) meat containing bone fragments;

(d) in the case of meat derived from bovine animals, sheep, goats or pigs, bone scrapings, the non-muscular part of the linear alba, the carpus and tarsus region or meat from the muscles of the head, with the exception of the masseters which may be used provided that, where they are derived from bovine animals, an examination for cysticercosis has been conducted; and

(e) in the case of meat derived from bovine animals, meat from the muscles of the diaphragm except where, after the removal of serosa, an examination for cysticercosis has been conducted.

3.  Not more than one hour shall elapse between the removal of the meat from a refrigerated environment for mincing and the production and chilling or deep-freezing of the minced meat, during which time the internal temperature of the meat shall not exceed 7°C and the temperature of the production area shall not exceed 12°C, save that a longer period shall be permitted where the addition of salt so justifies on technical grounds and there is no risk to public heath.

4.  Where the one hour time limit described in paragraph 3 above or such longer period as may be permitted thereunder is exceeded, the meat may not be minced until its internal temperature has been reduced to 4°C or less.

5.  Immediately after production minced meat shall be hygienically wrapped, packaged and cooled and stored at the appropriate temperatures specified or referred to in regulation 7(1)(l) or (m).

6.  Minced meat shall not be deep-frozen more than once.