Meat regulations: Testing for raw processed & processed meat

Meat products came under the spotlight several times in 2022; due to new regulations coming into effect, the controversy surrounding meat analogues, and constant concerns about meat fraud vulnerabilities (read more about species fraud in ‘Meat fraud: Testing to detect species substitution’). The most recent instance was the publication of R. 2410 (Regulations Regarding the Classification, Packing and Marking of Certain Raw Processed Meat Products Intended for Sale in the Republic of South Africa).

Food safety, quality, authenticity and regulatory compliance are some of the main pillars of food protection and integrity. Although each pillar has its own requirements, it is important to remember that they overlap and impact each other.

The complexity of our regulatory framework can be very challenging for the food industry, because a variety of regulations, which fall under various departments, must be considered to ensure compliance.

Currently, the compositional standards for meat products which have undergone processing (i.e. not whole-muscle products) are primarily governed by two regulations:

• Regulations Regarding the Classification, Packing and Marking of Certain Raw Processed Meat Products Intended for Sale in the Republic of South Africa (R. 2410)
• Regulations Regarding the Classification, Packing and Marking of Processed Meat Products Intended for Sale in the Republic of South Africa (R. 1283)

R. 2410 stipulates compositional requirements; but it also recommends analytical tests that can be used to check whether a meat product meets the quality criteria. For example, analytical testing is recommended to:

• establish the meat content of a product, and
• confirm the absence of soy in products where it is not a permitted ingredient.

With any food testing, it is important to (a) understand the objective of analysis, and (b) consider the capabilities of the test methods available.

It is crucial that these two factors match to ensure that you get results that add value. Before testing, it is advisable to consider the following:

• Which recommended method corresponds with which compositional criteria?
• What are the limitations of each testing method, and how will they impact results?
• Are acceptable alternative methods available that are more appropriate and will provide equivalent results?
• Are there any regulatory pitfalls or obstacles associated with the compositional requirements?

A multidimensional understanding of the regulatory environment – as well as of how it affects testing – requires in-depth knowledge of the different aspects involved, which can be a daunting and time-consuming task.

With our many years of experience and expertise, FACTS understands how critical it is to choose the right testing approach, so as not to waste valuable resources. Our team is uniquely positioned to help you unpack multiple aspects of meat product compliance – e.g. regulatory requirements, testing method suitability, meat fraud risks and product testing – to help you cover all the bases for meat product integrity.

Other articles and resources you may be interested in:
Meat regulations: The Meat Safety Act (Act 40 of 2000)
Gelatine in comminuted processed meat products
Meat fraud: Testing to detect species substitution
Food Testing Catalogue
Regulatory and Nutrition