Monitoring of frozen meat and meat products at ports of entry in Kingston by the Public Health Inspector for period 1975-79

ABSTRACT

The criteria which were used to pass the meat as fit for human consumption, the quantity and types of meats which were condemned and reasons for their condemnation were also investigated. It was found that (i) The notification of the arrival of ships was not satisfactory. (ii) There are no written criteria for passing meats, but the method of inspection used was satisfactory. (iii) Large quantities of meat were condemned over the period under study and poultry meat headed the condemnation. Dehydration decomposition and freezer-burn were the principal reasons for condemnation. (v) There was no condemnation of mutton for the years 1978 and 1979. (vi) Mutton had the lowest condemnation which could be attributed to the type of packaging. (vii) Containerization of meats increased as of 1977. Based on the findings, measures for the improvement of the monitoring system were devised. (AU)