The Minced Meat and Meat Preparations (Hygiene) Regulations 1995

Regulations 7(1)(f) and (2)(d)and 8(1)(i)

SCHEDULE 8 Wrapping and packaging

1.  Wrapped minced meat or meat preparations shall be packaged save that where the wrapping material used fulfils all the protective requirements of packaging set out in paragraph 3 below, they do not in addition need to be packaged.

2.  Minced meat and meat preparations shall be marked on the packaging, or wrapping material referred to in paragraph 1 above, with a health mark.

3.  Packaging shall take place under satisfactory hygiene conditions and—

(a) shall not alter the organoleptic characteristics of the minced meat or meat preparations;

(b) shall not be capable of transmitting to the minced meat or meat preparations substances harmful to human health; and

(c) shall be sufficiently strong to ensure effective protection of the minced meat or meat preparation during transport and handling.

4.  Packaging shall not be re-used for minced meat or meat preparations unless it is made of corrosion-resistant materials which are easy to clean and it has been cleaned and disinfected beforehand.

5.  Any minced meat or meat preparations wrapped in commercial portions intended for direct sale to the consumer shall bear a reproduction of the health mark, which may be of reduced dimensions, on the wrapping material or a clearly visible label attached to the wrapping.