Use of Lactic Acid on Bovine Carcases

This entered into force on 25 February 2013 and a copy is attached.
This measure was preceded by a thorough risk assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which resulted in a favourable opinion published on 26 July 2011 on the safety and efficacy of lactic acid.

Under this new Regulation, food business operators may use lactic acid to reduce surface contamination only on bovine carcases or half carcases or quarters in slaughterhouses, subject to a number of conditions. The use of lactic acid should in no way be considered as a substitution for good hygienic slaughtering practices and operating procedures. Indeed, it should be integrated into good hygienic practices and into food safety management systems which are already in place, based on HACCP principles and the lactic acid solution must only be applied on carcases that are free of faecal visual contamination.

This additional tool would help reduce contamination of meat by pathogens such as Verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) and Salmonella which are associated with food borne disease.

Lactic acid solutions for use in slaughterhouses must be prepared from lactic acid which complies with the specifications set out in Regulation (EC) 231/2012. This lays down specifications for certain food additives, including lactic acid.

When lactic acid is applied it must only be applied:

* On entire carcases or half carcases or quarters of meat from domestic bovine animals (including Bubalus and Bison species) in slaughterhouses;
*Either by spraying or misting using from 2% to 5% lactic acid solution in potable water at temperatures of up to a maximum of 55°C;
*Under controlled and verifiable conditions integrated in a HACCP-based management system including, at least, the criteria set out in the Annex to this letter;
*To carcases with no visible faecal contamination; and So that it does not result in any irreversible physical modification of the meat.

Lastly, food business operators (FBOs) operating slaughterhouses in which lactic acid solutions are used to reduce microbial surface contamination of entire carcases or half carcases or quarters of meat must inform the FBO receiving the treated carcases or half carcases or quarters of meat of the treatment of the meat. This information should be documented.

It would also be helpful if FBOs wishing to use lactic acid for this purpose notified the Official Veterinarian in the slaughterhouse of their intention to use it.

Attachments:

• 130228RegulationonLacticAcid.pdf