Meat safety and market access

This program assists the meat industry by providing:

• industry solutions for current and emerging issues of national importance
• applied research and development projects for meat processors and clients
• a rapid-response advisory service to industry and government organisations
• key contributions to industry advisory committees and meetings.

Research areas

Our scientists focus on the following topics of meat regulation and development.

Risk analysis

Identifying food safety hazards across the supply chain, ranking hazards in terms of risk and quantitative risk assessment. This improves management practices across the supply chain and market access.

Technical market access

Adding technical input and research into new international regulatory meat standards and national monitoring programs. This ensures they are risk commensurate and cost effective.

Meat microbiology and molecular biology

Analysis of meat in PC2 rated laboratories for microbiological pathogens and indicator organisms. These can be used for optimisation of:

• meat processing performance
• shelf-life assessment
• industry benchmarking
• safety evaluations of new product types.

Post-slaughter handling

Investigating the impacts of post-slaughter handling on product quality and resultant shelf-life.

Process optimisation

Evaluating new cooling and processing technologies to:

• enhance product quality and shelf-life
• minimise wastage and optimise efficiencies.

Statistical process control

Monitoring processes and using statistics to determine when processes are in control. This program identifies process problems, whether physical, chemical or microbiological.

Shelf-life assessment

Testing microbiological, chemical and sensory techniques to evaluate impacts of post-slaughter handling, processing and packaging.

Animal health feedback

Developing a standardised approach to data collection on disease-related carcase and offal condemnations. This includes a nationally agreed, consistent feedback system to producers from meat processors.

Rodent control and rodenticides

Investigating the effect of anticoagulant rodenticides on the excretion, feeding and exploratory behaviour of rats. This includes the risks associated with using:

• anticoagulant rodenticides
• rodent control practices in intensive livestock industries
• alternative options for rodent control.

Contact

Jessica Jolley – Meat safety and market access
Phone: (08) 8429 2362
Email: jessica.jolley@sa.gov.au