Meat and Poultry Processing Standards
PORK QUALITY Version 4.0
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Key – Those standards which have greater significance (all other standards are normal)
Recommendation – Those which do not affect certification
New – A completely new standard which the member must now adhere to
Revised – A standard that has changed and requires the member to take some different or additional action to before
Upgraded – The standard has been upgraded to a Key standard or from a Recommendation to a full standard
Appendix – Referenced in ‘How you will be measured’. Indicates that additional information is provided in the Appendices, which are available at the end of each section.
MP.PQ.1
Red Tractor Assured pork must only derive from eligible pigs
How you will be measured
MP.PQ.1.a
MP.PQ.1.b
MP.PQ.2
Red Tractor Assured pork derives from carcases meeting the required quality attributes
How you will be measured
MP.PQ.2.a
MP.PQ.2.b
MP.PQ.2.c
MP.PQ.2.d
MP.PQ.2.e
MP.PQ.3
Red Tractor Assured offal derives from carcases meeting the required quality attributes, with the exception of weight
How you will be measured
MP.PQ.3.a
MP.PQ.4
Red Tractor Assured pork derives from pork meeting the required quality attributes
How you will be measured
MP.PQ.4.a
MP.PQ.4.b
MP.PQ.4.c
MP.PQ.4.d
MP.PQ.4.e
MP.PQ.4.f
MP.PQ.5
Quality specifications must be agreed with the site’s customers, documented and followed
How you will be measured
MP.PQ.5.a
MP.PQ.5.b
MP.PQ.5.c
Specifications
MP.PQ.6
Red Tractor Assured pork must meet the required microbial specification (Revised)
How you will be measured
MP.PQ.6.a
MP.PQ.7
The site must have systems in place to monitor carcases and pork products against specifications and the scheme’s quality requirements (Revised)
How you will be measured
MP.PQ.7.a
MP.PQ.7.b
MP.PQ.7.c
MP.PQ.7.d
Schedules and results
MP.PQ.8
Carcases and pork products not meeting the quality attributes must not be used in the production of Red Tractor Assured pork products, unless specific exemptions apply
How you will be measured
MP.PQ.8.a
MP.PQ.8.b
MP.PQ.9
Carcases must be scalded, de-haired (singed and/ or scraped as required), to produce a firm, clean and undamaged rind
MP.PQ.10
Pork and trim products must be labelled with kill date
How you will be measured
MP.PQ.10.a
MP.PQ.10.b
MP.PQ.11
Chilled fresh pork must be processed within kill +7 days unless specific exemptions apply
How you will be measured
MP.PQ.11.a
MP.PQ.11.b
MP.PQ.11.c
MP.PQ.12
Any meat to be frozen before processing must be in good condition, effectively packaged and placed into a freezer within 4 days of slaughter
How you will be measured
MP.PQ.12.a
MP.PQ.12.b
MP.PQ.12.c
MP.PQ.13
Systems must be in place to ensure that frozen pork and trim is used within 12 months of freezing
How you will be measured
MP.PQ.13.a
MP.PQ.14
Carcases must be transferred to temperature controlled environments without delay
MP.PQ.15
Carcases in chillers must be managed in such a way to encourage cooling and reduce condensation
How you will be measured
MP.PQ.15.a
MP.PQ.15.b
MP.PQ.15.c
MP.PQ.16
Carcases and products are chilled to required temperatures, in accordance with planned chilling regimes
How you will be measured
MP.PQ.16.a
MP.PQ.16.b
MP.PQ.17
Pork products (including finished product) and trim must be stored at between -2°C and +5°C for fresh product and at -12°C or below for frozen products
How you will be measured
MP.PQ.17.a
MP.PQ.17.b
MP.PQ.18
The defrosting of frozen pork and trim must be managed to ensure the outer surface does not exceed +7°C during the defrosting period
How you will be measured
MP.PQ.18.a
MP.PQ.18.b
Defrosting records
MP.PQ.19
Temperatures must be regularly monitored in accordance with documented procedures (Revised)
How you will be measured
MP.PQ.19.a
MP.PQ.19.b
MP.PQ.19.c
MP.PQ.19.d
MP.PQ.19.e
MP.PQ.19.f
Schedule, monitoring records
MP.PQ.20
Where temperature monitoring identifies non-conforming products, the root cause is identified and the product dealt with appropriately
How you will be measured
MP.PQ.20.a
MP.PQ.20.b
Corrective actions
More Standards
Download the Meat and Poultry Processing Standards Manual (V4)
The Red Tractor Meat and Poultry Processors Scheme is part of the Red Tractor Food Assurance Scheme assuring food safety, animal welfare, hygiene environmental protection through every part of the food chain.
The Standards provide clear and credible assurance for all and should be read in conjunction with the Member Rules which all members are bound by.