[A possible approach to improve present meat inspection].

Area of Science:

• Food safety science
• Veterinary public health
• Regulatory compliance

Context:

• Current meat inspection practices are limited by on-site, post-slaughter assessments.
• Existing methods may not adequately identify all public health threats.
• International cooperation is needed to evolve inspection protocols.

Purpose:

• To propose a modernized framework for meat inspection.
• To align meat inspection with broader Food Safety Objectives (FSOs).
• To enhance the evaluation of public health risks associated with meat products.

Summary:

• Meat inspection decisions rely heavily on pre- and post-slaughter examinations, which are insufficient for assessing current public health threats.
• A new meat inspection paradigm requires collaboration among EU member states and stakeholders.
• Shifting focus to Food Safety Objectives can form the basis for adapting and improving meat inspection.

Impact:

• Potential to significantly change the rigid structure of current meat inspection systems.
• Improved identification and mitigation of public health risks in the food chain.
• Harmonization of meat inspection standards across the European Union.