Is black pudding a raw or a ready-to-eat product?

Products that have been processed in such a way that they are no longer a potential source of E. coli O157 contamination can be treated as ready-to-eat.

However, products such as black pudding may be sold as ready-to-eat or as requiring further cooking before consumption by the customer.

It is for the retailer to make a decision on how to treat such products.

If they are to be sold as ready-to-eat, they must be stored, displayed and handled in the designated clean areas of the premises.

If they are to be sold as raw, then they must be treated as such throughout the product cycle and must not be placed in storage or display with ready-to-eat foods.
The retailer should also make it clear to their customers that the product requires further cooking if it has been handled as raw.

The retailer should have documented controls in place to ensure that, whichever decision is taken with regard to the storage and display of these foods, they are consistently applied. An inspecting officer should use their professional judgement to decide if these controls are adequate.