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The Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1994

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11.  The immersion chilling process shall meet the following requirements—

(a)the carcases shall pass through one or more tanks of water or of ice and water, the contents of which are continuously renewed. Only a system whereby the carcases are constantly propelled by mechanical means through a counterflow of water shall be used;

(b)the temperature of the water in the tank or tanks measured at the points of entry and exit of the carcases shall not be more than +16°C and +4°C respectively;

(c)it shall be carried out in such a way that the temperature specified in Schedule 12 is reached in the shortest possible time;

(d)the minimum flow of water throughout the whole chilling process referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph shall be—

(i)2.5 litres per carcase weighing 2.5 kg or less,

(ii)4 litres per carcase weighing between 2.5 kg and 5 kg,

(iii)6 litres per carcase weighing 5 kg or more;

(e)where there are several tanks, the inflow of fresh water and the outflow of used water in each tank shall be regulated in such a way as to progressively decrease in the direction of movement of the carcases, the fresh water being divided between the tanks in such a way that the flow of water through the last tank is not less than—

(i)1 litre per carcase weighing 2.5 kg or less,

(ii)1.5 litres per carcase weighing between 2.5 kg and 5 kg,

(iii)2 litres per carcase weighing 5 kg or more.

The water used for first filling the tanks shall not be included in the calculation of these quantities;

(f)the carcases shall not remain in the first part of the apparatus or the first tank for more than half an hour or in the rest of the apparatus or the other tank or tanks for longer than is strictly necessary;

(g)all necessary precautions shall be taken to ensure that, in the event of interruptions of the process, the transit time laid down in the sub-paragraph (f) of this paragraph is complied with; whenever there has been a stoppage of the equipment, the official veterinary surgeon shall satisfy himself prior to re-setting it in motion that the carcases still meet the requirements of these Regulations and are fit for human consumption and, if such is not the case, ensure that they are transported as soon as possible to the facilities provided for in paragraph 4(d) of Schedule 1;

(h)each piece of equipment shall be entirely emptied, cleaned and disinfected whenever this is necessary at the end of the period of work and at least once a day;

(i)calibrated control equipment shall be used that permits adequate and continued supervision of the measuring and recording of—

(i)the water consumption during spray-washing before immersion,

(ii)the temperature of the water in the tank or tanks at the points of entry and exit of the carcases,

(iii)the water consumption during immersion,

(iv)the number of carcases in each of the weight-ranges listed in sub-paragraphs (d) and (e) of this paragraph and paragraph 10 above;

(j)the results of the various checks carried out by the producer shall be kept and submitted on request to the official veterinary surgeon;

(k)the correct functioning of the chilling plant and its effect on the hygiene level shall be evaluated by scientific microbiological methods, the contamination of the carcases with total bacteria and enterobacteria being compared before and after immersion.Such comparison shall be carried out when the plant is first brought into use and after that periodically and in any case each time any alterations are made to the plant.The functioning of the various parts shall be regulated so as to ensure a satisfactory standard of hygiene;

(l)notwithstanding the preceding sub-paragraphs of this paragraph, in the case of poultry slaughtered by the Jewish method for the food of Jews, salting and subsequent washing off of the salt, carried out under the supervision of the Local Board of Shechita or, in the absence of any such Board, of a Committee appointed for the purpose by the local Jewish congregation established in accordance with Jewish law, may take place immediately after the carcases emerge from the first part of the equipment or, where the equipment comprises more than one tank, the first tank.In such cases the period in the first part of the equipment or first tank may be extended to 40 minutes.Any immersion of the carcases in water for the purposes of soaking, salting and subsequent washing off of the salt shall comply with the requirements of sub-paragraphs (d) and (e) of this paragraph.

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