Does the Meat Food Safety Scheme apply to you?

South Australia has a food safety scheme for meat (called the ‘Meat Scheme’) which came into place on 1 July 2006 with the introduction of the Primary Produce (Food Safety Schemes) (Meat Industry) Regulations 2006.

The Meat Scheme is a regulation which specifies the food safety arrangements that meat businesses must comply with, including standards, codes and guidelines. A food safety arrangement outlines the minimum hygiene requirements, including a food safety program, specific to a business. Food safety arrangements exist for all meat processing and handling businesses.

The Meat Scheme involves close to 1,000 businesses involved in processing of animals, game meat field processing, manufacture of smallgoods, wholesale processing and distribution and retail sale.

The Meat Scheme applies to the following activities where the meat or meat products are destined for sale either for human consumption or for pet food:

  • killing, flaying and dressing of animals
  • killing and dressing of birds
  • killing and processing of game animals in the field
  • boning out and/or further processing of meat and poultry
  • manufacturing of smallgoods
  • storing of meat and/or meat product in chillers or freezers
  • transportation of meat and/or meat products

The Meat Scheme does not apply to the following businesses:

  • retail businesses that sell meat in the same pack in which it was received
  • businesses that slice and cut ready to eat meats for retail sale, eg. deli’s
  • businesses that process meat, where the processing occurs in the preparation of meals, for sale to consumers, whether or not the meal is consumed on the premises.
  • Restaurants, hotels, delicatessens, cafes, lunch bars, takeaways and roadhouses where meat is prepared as part of a meal for customers or paying guests
  • If the Meat Scheme applies to you or your business, you will need to apply for accreditation through the PIRSA Food Safety Program.

For further enquires please contact the Administrative Officer, Robert Thomas on 08 8207 7964 or email rob.thomas@sa.gov.au.