3.2 Length of storage and shelf life (chilled)

Found in:

Quality Assured Pork / Temperature control and storage

3.2.1 The shelf life of all chilled pork raw material shall be compliant to that specified within legislation (853/2004). However the FSA issued UK guidance on the number of days from kill in the form of a derogation – here

3.2.2 Pork raw material shall be processed within kill+4 days, however if the raw material is held in chill rooms that can maintain a constant temperature, the storage period may be extended by up to 3 days. Where pork raw material is vacuum packed, gas flushed or deep chilled and subject to the requirements of Clause 3.2.3 additional storage life beyond these limits can be used.

3.2.3 Any extension of shelf life greater than kill+4 days, shall be subject to satisfactory documented shelf life verification (sensory and microbiological evaluation) that shows that the extension of life does not, under worst case conditions, adversely affect product safety or quality. The microbiological limits shall not exceed the levels in clause 2.5.3.

3.2.4 Chill temperature, traceability and shelf life records shall be maintained.

Guidance

For a co-located site where the pork has been slaughtered and processed on the same site, extension of life beyond kill+4 days can be verified through the review of chill temperature monitoring records, without the requirement to package or deep chill the raw material. If you buy in BQAP raw material from another member of the BQAP scheme the same rule will apply as mentioned above for co-located sites.

Consideration should also be given to the FSA guidance on the control of Clostridium Botulinum for products that exceed 10 days life. The BMPA research report can be found on the main BMPA website.

Evidence

Examples of temperature monitoring records since the last audit. Review kill dates aligned to storage period, including verification of sensory and microbiological to ensure shelf life extensions. In relation to vacuum packed, gas flushed or deep chilled raw material, additional supporting evidence e.g. shelf life records