Extraordinary inspection and control of porcine-meat origin identification in a supermarket chain

Non-conformities were not found in butcher shops of the supermarket chain that were inspected. At three meat suppliers, who conduct the cutting of meat, certain individual non-compliances were found, linked in particular to the traceability, the use of designation “Izbrana kakovost – Slovenija / Select Quality – Slovenia”, and to consistency between meat quantities per particular lots.

Purpose and scope of inspection

Purpose of extraordinary inspection and control was to verify the accuracy, clarity and documentary basis of information on the origin of the meat, as was presented to consumers, and the reliability of traceability along the supply chain. The inspection was conducted in four butcher shops of a supermarket chain, namely, in Novo mesto, Kranj, Celje and Murska Sobota, and at seven meat suppliers. Among meat suppliers, three slaughterhouses and four cutting plants were inspected.

Within the scope of inspection and control, official veterinarians inspected the accompanying documents, data on origin, identifications at the points of sale and at suppliers, internal records, and traceability of meat per particular lots. Inspected was also the consistency between the documented quantities and those quantities of meat that were actually dispatched, and the accuracy of use of designations of quality.

Findings

No non-compliances were found in butcher shops of the supermarket chain inspected. For meat inspected, the traceability was in place, labels on origin corresponded with the relevant documents. Information presented to consumers at the points of sale, in cases inspected, corresponded with documented data.

General findings regarding butcher shops: from the point of view of documents accompanying porcine meat, traceability is in place and labelling is accurate.

Non-compliances were found at three suppliers that conduct the cutting of meat. Findings referred to the provision of traceability in line with internal procedures, the accurate use of designation “Izbrana kakovost – Slovenija / Select Quality – Slovenia”, and the consistency between the documented quantities and those quantities of meat that were actually dispatched per particular lots.

Findings show non-compliances at the level of supply chain, where the meat is cut, identified and prepared for further distribution. The highest risk constitutes the possibility of inappropriate segregation of lots, deficient record-keeping, and the incorrect use of designations of quality, which may affect the verifiability of origin as well as the trust of consumers in designations.

General findings with regard to suppliers / cutting plants: there exists a risk as to accurate identification of meat, and a risk as to accurate internal traceability that is based on identification by lots / batches.

Measures adopted

Because of non-compliances found, a decision requiring the non-compliances to be remedied was issued to a supplier. The infringement procedures resulting from the non-compliances found are still under way. Implementation of measures imposed shall be monitored within the authorisations and competences of the Administration.

Follow-up activities

The Administration will conduct extraordinary inspection and control of meat identification and traceability also in the future. Special attention will be dedicated to verification of data on origin, accurate use of designations of quality, and the consistency between quantities of meat at butcher shops and meat quantities at cutting plants.

The aim of inspection and control is to ensure that information intended for consumers is accurate, and that Food Business Operators comply with requirements applicable to traceability and to identification of foodstuffs