Meat Inspection Regulations

1975

NMIC ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 006-75

 

Adopted pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 7, dated September 30, 1972, and Letter of Instruction No. 16, dated October 1, 1972.

ARTICLE I

Title

SECTION 1. This Order shall be known as Meat Inspection Regulations.

ARTICLE II

Definitions

SECTION 2. For the purposes of this Order, the following words, phrases, names and terms shall be construed, respectively, to mean:

"Abattoir" or "Slaughterhouse" means any premises approved and registered by the controlling authority used in the slaughter of animals for human consumption.

"Brand" means any mark or stamp approved by the controlling authority and includes also any tag or label bearing such mark or stamp.

"Carcass" means the body of any slaughtered animal after bleeding and dressing.

"Cleaning" means the removal of objectionable matter.

"Contamination" means the direct or indirect transmission of objectionable matters to the meat.

"Controlling Authority" refers to the National Meat Inspection Commission in relation to a slaughterhouse or establishment pursuant to PD No. 7 and LOI No. 16.

"Deputized Meat Control Officer" Any veterinarian of the Bureau of Animal Industry or any agency properly trained in meat inspection work and authorized by the Controlling Authority to perform the duties of a regular Meat Control Officer.

"Deputized Meat Inspector" An employee preferably a Livestock Inspector of the Bureau of Animal Industry trained in meat inspection work and authorized to do the work of a regular meat inspector.

"Disinfection" means the application of hygienically satisfactory chemicals or physical agents and processes to clean surfaces with the intention to eliminate micro-organisms.

"Downer" crippled or wicked animals unable to stand or showing abnormal locomotion. It shall be treated as "suspect."

"Dressed" or "Dressing":

a. In relation to slaughtered animals except for pigs, sheep and lambs, goats and kids, means the removal of head, hide or skin, viscera (including or not including kidneys), genital organs, urinary bladder and feet up to the carpal and tarsal joints, and, udders of lactating animals, animals that have calved or are in advanced pregnancy; and

b. In relation to slaughtered pig, means the removal of hair and bristles or skin, claws, eyelids, viscera (including or not including kidneys), genital, organs, urinary bladder, udders in the case of lactating animals that have farrowed or are in advanced pregnancy, and the external acoustic duct unless in respect of that part an alternative effective form of cleaning is carried out; and

c. In relation to sheep lambs, goats and kids means the removal of the head, except in the case of young lambs and young kids), the pelt or skin viscera (including or not including kidneys), genital organs urinary bladder and feet up to the carpal and tarsal joints, and udders of lactating animals, animals that have lambed are in advance pregnancy.

d. In relation to cattle, pigs and solipeds includes where necessary splitting of the carcass. To split means the dividing of the carcass lengthwise on the medial line.

"Emergency Slaughter" means slaughter of an animal necessitated by previous accidents such as bone fracture, danger of suffocation, etc.

"Establishment" means any premises approved and registered by the National Meat Inspection Commission in which fresh meat is prepared, handled, packed or stored.

"Fit for Human Consumption" in relation to meat means an article which has been passed and appropriately branded by an inspector and in which no changes due to disease, decomposition or contamination have subsequently been found.

"Food Animals" in this Order, it includes all domestic livestocks killed for human consumption, such as cattle, carabaos, buffaloes, horses, sheep, goats, hogs, deer, rabbit and poultry (chicken, ducks, geese, turkeys and pigeons).

"Hot Meat" meat from food animal and poultry clandestinely slaughtered and sold to the public.

"Inspected and Condemned" or any authorized abbreviation thereof: That the carcasses or parts of carcasses so marked are unsound, unhealthful, unwholesome or otherwise unfit for human consumption that can be rendered into animal feed shall be dyed (food-grade blue color) and cooked or rendered; while those unfit for both human and animal consumption shall be denatured with strong chemical disinfectants prior to final disposition as changed for this Order.

"Inspected and Passed" or any authorized abbreviation thereof: That the carcasses or parts of carcasses so marked have been inspected and passed under these regulations, at the time they were inspected, passed and so marked they were found to be sound, healthful, wholesome and fir for human food.

"Meat" means the edible part of any animal slaughtered in the slaughterhouse or abattoir. CAIHTE

"Meat Control Officer" a Veterinarian of the National Meat Inspection Commission properly trained and duly appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with law.

"Meat Handling" a term used in the meat trade which includes slaughter, preparation, inspection, cutting, packaging, preservation, etc., of meat.

"Meat Inspector" mean a properly trained officer appointed or deputized by the National Meat Inspection Commission for the purpose of meat inspection and supervision of meat hygiene and preservation including the inspection of meat should be the responsibility of a veterinarian.

"NMIC" means the National Meat Inspection Commission.

"Offal" the by-products, organs, glands and tissue other than meat of food animal. Such offals, in relation to slaughtered animals, may or may not be edible.

"Passed for Rendering" refers to the condemned carcasses or parts of carcasses that may be converted into inedible by-products as prescribed in Sec. 72 of Art. XI of this Order.

"Passed for Sterilization" that the carcasses or parts of carcasses so marked have been inspected and passed for food subject to the condition that it must be sterilized by steaming in an appropriate apparatus or by boiling in an open kettle as called for in those regulations (Art. XI Sec. 71).

"Post Abattoir Handling" in relation to meat inspection, it refers to the handling of meat as it is prepared and leaves the abattoir to the meat markets, processing plants, and cold stores, etc.

"Potable Water" means water that is pure and wholesome at the point of usage in accordance with WHO requirements contained in the International Standards for Drinking Water.

"Reactor" Any animal which after the application of a specific test shows evidence of that disease. Tuberculosis and brucellosis reactors shall be treated as suspects on slaughter glanders cases marked (G) shall be condemned outright.

"Residues" mean any foreign substances including metabolities, therapeutic or prophylactic agents which are objectionable or a hazard to human health remaining in "slaughter animals" prior to slaughter or in any of the tissue after slaughter either as a result of treatment or accidental exposure. Examples of such substances are antibiotics, anthelmintics, growth promoters, hormones, hormone-like substances and pesticides, tranquilizers and radio-active residues.

"Retained" that the carcasses, viscera, parts of carcasses, meat or other article so marked or identified, are held for further examination by an inspector to determine their final disposal.

"Secretary" refers to the Secretary of Agriculture.

"Slaughter" the killing of the food animals in relation to meat inspection.

"Slaughter Animal" any food animal brought into an abattoir for slaughter.

"Suspect" the animals suspected of being affected with a disease or condition which may require its condemnation, in whole or in part when slaughtered, and is subject to further examination to determine its disposal.

ARTICLE III

Scope of Meat Inspection

SECTION 3. This order shall apply to all slaughterhouses and establishments where "food animals" are slaughtered and sold for human food, meat markets, refrigerating plants and other establishments duly authorized to operate in accordance with the provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 82 as amended by PD No. 7 and LOI No. 16.

SECTION 4. Only Meat Control Officers, deputized Meat Control Officers, Meat Inspectors and deputized Meat Inspectors duly appointed and designated in accordance with the provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 82 as amended by PD No. 7 and LOI No. 16, are authorized to perform meat inspection work.

SECTION 5. Except in those cases specifically provided in this Order no animal shall be slaughtered for food without ante-mortem examination required by these rules and regulations. Carcasses or parts of carcasses of animals slaughtered without such ante-mortem examination shall be condemned.

SECTION 6. No person, firm, or corporation shall store, traffic, transport, sell or otherwise dispose of food any carcass or parts of carcasses which have been previously inspected and passed in accordance with this Order. Carcasses of animals or parts thereof which are stored, transported, sold or otherwise disposed of without inspection, or those found upon inspection to be unfit for human consumption, shall be condemned in accordance with the provision of this Order.

SECTION 7. The condemnation of the carcass as herein provided shall not be in lieu of, but shall be in addition to, the penalties provided in these rules and regulations.

PART I

Livestock

ARTICLE IV

Ante-Mortem Inspection

SECTION 8. (a) An ante-mortem examination and inspection shall be made of cattle, carabaos, horses, swine, sheep and goats, deer and rabbits, etc., about to be slaughtered at all national, city municipal and licensed private abattoirs, before the slaughter shall be allowed. Such examination and inspection shall be made in pens in the premises of the establishment at the time of slaughter. The temperature of all animals suspected of being affected with any disease condition shall be taken at all times as an added gauge for their fitness for slaughter.

(b) An animal is released for slaughter without any restriction when the ante-mortem inspection has revealed no evidence of any abnormal condition or disease.

SECTION 9. Any animal plainly showing on ante-morteminspection any disease or condition that under this Order shall cause condemnation of its carcass shall be marked "CONDEMNED," isolated immediately and disposed of under the supervision of the inspector in accordance with Animal Industry Administrative Order No. 5.

SECTION 10. The diseases or conditions which shall warrant outright condemnation are: Anthrax, black-leg, hog cholera, swine plague (acute), leptospirosis, swine erysipelas, rinderpest, rabies, foot-and-mouth disease, tetanus, glanders, and hemorrhagic septicemia (acute). Animals found dead or in dying condition shall likewise be condemned.

SECTION 11. (a) Any animal which on ante-morteminspection do not plainly show, but is suspected of being affected with any disease or condition that under this Order may cause condemnation, in whole or in part, on post-mortem inspection when the carcass shall be finally marked and disposed of as provided in this Order. Any animal termed "DOWNER" not otherwise condemned under the provision of this Order shall also be considered "SUSPECT." DETACa

(b) Any animal marked "SUSPECT" on ante-mortem inspection, which in the opinion of the meat inspector will cause the spread of an infectious animal disease, shall be reported to the Provincial Veterinarian (NMIC deputized veterinarian) for final judgement. In the absence of the above-mentioned official, the slaughter of the animal shall be deferred, and the animal shall be confined, and isolated where it may be treated to preclude contamination of the premises, equipment and personnel.

SECTION 12. (a) All hogs, although not marked "SUSPECT," which are in lots of which some have been condemned or marked as suspects for either hog cholera or swine plague, and all animals as suspects shall be slaughtered separately from animals passed on ante-mortem inspection.

(b) A hog suspected of being affected with hog cholera or swine plague maybe set aside and isolated for observation and/or treatment. If after the treatment, the same shall have been fully recovered or is found negative, it shall be released for slaughter or for any other purpose.

(c) Swine, other than one hyper-immuned, offered for slaughter within twenty-eight (28) days following injection with hog cholera virus, shall be denied for slaughter. Hyperimmuned swine shall be denied slaughter offered for slaughter within (10) days after hyperimmunization.

(d) All boars which are matured sexually and swine stags which shows evidence of recent castration shall be marked and treated as "suspect."

SECTION 13. Animals found on ante-mortem examination to be affected with anasarca in advance stages and characterized by an extensive and generalized edema shall be condemned, while those affected to a lesser degree shall be marked "suspect" and disposed of in accordance with this Order. Those affected with anasarca to a slight degree maybe set apart and held for treatment and if fully recovered, may be released for slaughter.

SECTION 14. Animals affected with infectious disease that shall warrant outright condemnation on ante-mortem inspection (Sec. 10) shall be reported immediately to the Provincial Veterinarian who shall dispose them in accordance with the provision of BAI Administrative Order No. 5. Proper cleaning and disinfection on infected pens, corrals, carriers or trucks and driveways shall be done immediately in the slaughterhouse and its compound.

SECTION 15. (a) Tubercullin, contagious abortion and mallein reacting animals shall be marked suspect and disposed of in accordance with this Order except that in the case of Glanders (G) the animal so affected shall be condemned and burried. Special report of the post-mortem findings in tuberculosis and brucellosis cases shall be submitted to the Director of Animal Industry through Provincial Veterinarian concerned.

(b) Any goat reacting to brucellosis test shall be condemned outright.

SECTION 16. Animals inspected and found in advanced stages of pregnancy, showing signs of recent parturition or within 10 days after birth shall be rejected for slaughter.

SECTION 17. (a) Immature calves, kids and lambs shall be denied and/or rejected for slaughter. Criteria for determining the characteristic of immaturity livestock is noted in Sec. 38, Article VI, Part I of this Order.

(b) The earliest age to start slaughtering veal calves will depend on the breed of cattle, but for general purpose, the right age usually starts when the calves are from 2 to 4 months, with the carcass then weighing about 150 lbs and the proportion of bone in these animals is about 25 percent of the dressed carcass weight. Male calves intended for sale as veal are not castrated.

ARTICLE V

Post-Mortem Inspection

SECTION 18. A careful post-mortem examination and inspection shall be made of the carcasses and parts thereof of all cattle, carabaos, horses, swine, sheep, goats, deer, and rabbits, etc. slaughtered at any national, city, municipal and licensed private abattoir. This examination shall be so conducted that the inspector shall have seen all parts of the carcasses and shall have palpated or incised, or both, all the lymph nodes and organs and shall have made any other examination or tests, such as incising the muscle, etc., as maybe necessary for the rigid and thorough determination of disease. Carcasses and parts thereof shall be properly cleaned and dressed to facilitate inspection.

SECTION 19. Each carcass, including all parts and attached organs thereof, in which any lesions of disease or other condition is found that might render the meat or organ unfit for food, and which for that reason would require a subsequent inspection, shall be retained by the inspector at the time of inspection. Such retained carcass, parts and detached organs thereof shall be held until the final inspection has been completed. Retained carcasses shall neither be washed nor trimmed unless authorized by the inspector. In all cases the identifications shall be established by affixing "RETAINED" tags immediately upon inspection. These tags shall be removed except by an inspector.

SECTION 20. Each carcass, or part thereof which is found on final inspection to be unsound, unhealthful, unwholesome, or otherwise unfit for human consumption shall be conspicuously marked "CONDEMNED" on the surface tissues thereof at the time of inspection. Condemned detached organs and parts of such character that they cannot be so marked shall be immediately placed in tanks or receptacles which shall be plainly marked "CONDEMNED". All condemned carcasses, parts or organs shall remain in the capacity of the inspector, and shall be tanked as required in these regulations at or before the close of the day where condemned or be locked in the "CONDEMNED" room or compartments and disposed of in accordance with this Order.

SECTION 21. (a) Carcasses and parts of carcasses for sterilization shall be conspicuously marked "PASSED FOR STERILIZATION" on the surface tissues thereof by the inspector at the time of inspection. All carcass and parts shall be sterilized in accordance with provisions concerning rendering and sterilization. After sterilization by boiling, etc. sterilized meat with marked "inspected and passed."

(b) If only a portion is to be condemned or account of localized disease or slight lesion of disease portion shall be removed immediately before the "RETAINED" tag is taken from the carcass. The removed portion shall be immediately tanked, placed in the retaining room until its finale disposition or placed in the receptacles with strong disinfectants.

SECTION 22. Carcass and parts found to be sound, healthful, wholesome and fit for human food shall be marked "INSPECTED AND PASSED" as provided in these regulations.

SECTION 23. Carcasses or parts of carcass shall not be altered or modified by inflating air, injecting and/or soaking in water, smearing with blood, coloring, or by transferring caul or other fat from fat to lean carcasses or by attacking portion of the hide of the species to the carcass or parts of carcass to another. Carcasses or parts so altered for deceitful purposes shall be confiscated and condemned and the infractor prosecuted for violation of this Order. aDSIHc

SECTION 24. When it is necessary for humane reason to slaughter an injured animal at night or on a Sunday or Holiday an inspector should be notified so that an ante-mortem examination can be made, but when the inspector is not available, the animal should be killed in the presence of representative of the municipal or city Treasurer and/or the Chief of Police. The carcass and all parts thereof shall be kept for inspection with the head and all viscera, except the stomach, bladders, intestines, held by their natural attachments. If all part are not so kept for inspection, the carcass shall be condemned. If on inspection of a carcass of the animal slaughtered by any lesion or condition is found indicating that the animal was sick or diseased, the carcass shall be condemned.

ARTICLE VI

Disposition of Diseased Carcasses

SECTION 25. Generally, the carcass or parts of carcasses of all animals slaughtered for public consumption in the slaughterhouses or abattoirs and found at the time of slaughter or at the subsequent inspection to be affected with any of the disease or conditions named in this Order (Part I-Art. IV Sec. 10 and Art. VI Part II-Art. VIII Sec. 49 and Art. IX Sec. 57, and Part III Article XI secs. 62-70) shall be disposed of according to the provisions of article XI of this Order.

SECTION 26. Carcasses of hogs marked "SUSPECT" on ante-mortem inspection shall be subjected to careful post-mortem inspection.

SECTION 27. (a) Carcasses of hog which show acute and characteristics lesions of hog cholera in any organ or tissue other than the kidneys and lymph nodes shall be condemned. In as much as lesions resembling those either of hog cholera or of swine plague appear shall be carefully examined further for corroborative lesions.

(b) if on further inspection the carcasses shows such lesions in the kidneys or on the lymph nodes or both, accompanied by characteristics lesions on in some organ or tissue (such as spleen, urinary bladder, epiglotis, ileo-caccal valves and/or purplish discoloration of petechial hemorrhages of the skin), all lesions shall be considered as those of hog cholera, and the carcass shall be condemned.

(c) If the carcass shows no indication of either hog cholera or swine plague in any organ or tissue other than in the kidneys or lymph nodes, it shall be passed for food. In mild or chronic cases of swine plague and the animal appears well nourished, the carcass may be passed for food provided that the affected internal organs and parts shall be removed and the rest of the carcass be passed for sterilization.

SECTION 28. (a) Carcasses of animals highly suspected before evisceration to be affected with anthrax and all cases of hemorrhagic septicemia which are subsequently found positive of the disease by laboratory examination shall not be eviscerated, but shall be retained and condemned and immediately tanked or buried in accordance with the provision of Animal Industry Administrative Order No. 5.

In the absence of an appropriate laboratory examination, as in rural communities, to rule out anthrax, the verdict of the meat inspector and/or Meat Control Officer shall be final.

(b) The carcass and its parts including the head, hoof, horn, hair, viscera and contents, blood and fat found to be affected with anthrax, shall be condemned and immediately disposed of in accordance with the provision of this Order.

(c) Carcasses or parts thereof contaminated with anthrax through contact with infected materials or instruments shall be immediately be condemned and disposed of in accordance with these rules and regulations.

(d) Those portions of abattoir, such as killing floors, walls, posts, platforms, instruments and devices including scalding vat for swine, clothing of personnel, etc. contaminated with infective materials shall be subject for cleaning and disinfection. Slaughter of all other animals shall be suspended until after sufficient cleaning and disinfection has been thoroughly effected.

Expendable clothing of personnel and all animal effects such as rope, etc., shall be burned and/or buried deeply in the ground. The scalding vat, killing floor, post, platforms, instrument and other devices shall be cleaned and disinfected with 5 percent hot sodium hydroxide or commercial lye solution. The instruments and devices including the scalding vat shall be rinsed with clean water before using them again.

(e) In sub-acute and mild cases of hemorrhagic septicemia and the animals appear well-nourished, the carcass shall be sterilized and passed for food (for domestic consumption only) as called for in this Order, provided that the markedly affected parts and organs thereof shall be condemned.

Carcasses of animals affected with above degrees of hemorrhagic septicemia shall not be allowed for export.

SECTION 29. Carcasses of animals affected with, or showing lesions of any of the following named disease or conditions shall be condemned.

Diseases of Livestock

1. Athrax

2. Blackleg

3. Bovine Virus Diarrhea

4. Contagious Pleuropneumonia

5. Equine Infectious Anemia

6. Gas gangrene

7. Hog Cholera

8. Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis

9. Infectious necrotic hepatitis

10. Leptospirosis

11. Leukemia

12. Leukemia and pseudolukemia

13. Malignant edema

14. Malignant epizzotic catarrh

15. Melanosis

16. Pasteurellosis

17. Mucosal Disease Complex

18. Parasitic ictero-hematuria

19. Pasteurellosis (acute)

20. Purpura hemorrhagica

21. Pyemia

22. Rabies

23. Rinderpest

24. Sapremia

25. Sarcoma and carcinoma

26. Septicemia

27. Shipping Fever Syndrome

28. Snuffles

29. Swine erysipelas

30. Tetanus

31. Texas fever (advanced)

32. Toxemia

33. Toxoplasmosis

34. Tranmissible gastro-entiritis

35. Tularemia

36. Unhealed vaccine lesions

37. Uremia

38. Viral encephalitis

SECTION 30. All carcasses of animals so infected that the consumption of the meat thereof is liable to give rise to meat poisoning shall be condemned. These include all carcasses showing signs of any of the following: ETHIDa

(a) Acute inflammation of the lungs, pleura, pericardium, peritoneum or meninges.

(b) Septicemia or pyemia, whether puerperal, traumatic, or without any evident cause.

(c) Gangrenous or severe hemorrhagic enteritis or gastritis.

(d) Acute diffuse metritis or mammitis.

(e) Polyarthritis.

(f) Phlebitis of the unbilican veins.

(g) Traumatic pericarditis.

(h) Any acute inflammation, abscess, or suppurating sore, if associated with acute nephritis, fatty degenerated liver, swollen soft spleen, marked pulmonary hyperemia, general swelling of lymph nodes or diffuse redness of the skin, either singly or in combination.

Immediately after the slaughter of an animal showing signs of any of the said diseases, the premises and implements used shall be thoroughly disinfected as prescribed elsewhere in these regulations. The part of any carcass coming in contact with the carcass or any part of the carcass of the infected animal, other than those affected with the disease mentioned in paragraph (a) of this Section or in the place where such diseased animal was slaughtered, or with the implements used in the slaughter thereof, before thorough disinfection of such places and implements has been accomplished or with any other contaminated object, shall be immediately removed and condemned.

If the contaminated part is not removed from the carcass within two hours after such contact the whole carcass shall be condemned.

SECTION 31. From the standpoint of meat inspection, necrobacillosis lip-and-leg ulceration and actinomycosis may be regarded as a local affection at the beginning, the carcasses in a good state of nutrition in which the lesions are localized may be passed for food, after removing and condemning those portions affected with necrotic lesions. On the other hand, if emaciation, cloudy swelling of the glandular organs, or enlargement and discoloration of the lymph nodes are associated beyond the condition of the localization to a state of toxemia, the entire carcass shall be condemned, being both innutritious and noxious. Septicemia or pyemia may intervene as a complication of the local necrosis, and when present, the carcass shall be condemned in accordance with this Order.

SECTION 32. When extensive lesions of caseous lymphadenitis, with or without pleuratic adhesions are found in the lungs or several visceral organs contains caseous nodules and the lesions of caseous lynphadenitis are limited to the superficial nodes or to a few nodules in an organ involving also the adjacent lymph nodes, and the carcass is well nourished, the meat may be passed for food after the affected parts are removed and condemned.

SECTION 33. Carcasses showing any degrees of icterus with parenchymatous degeneration of organs, the result of infection or intoxication, and those which show an intensive yellow or greenish-yellow discoloration, without evidence of infection, or intoxication, shall be condemned. Carcasses affected with icteric-like discoloration, the results of conditions other than those before stated in this Section, but which lose such discoloration may be passed for food while those which do not lose such discoloration may be passed for sterilization. No carcass retained under this Section may be passed for food unless the final inspection thereof, is completed under natural light. Carcasses passed for cooking under this Section shall not be processed other than by rendering.

SECTION 34. Carcasses which give off the odor of urine and/or abnormal sexual odor or by contact with smegma shall be condemned. However, such carcasses and those carcasses with feedy and weedy odor may be marked "PASSED FOR REFRIGERATION" and their final disposal shall be by the heating test.

SECTION 35. Carcasses of animals affected with mange or scab in advanced states, showing cachexia or extensive inflammation of the flesh shall be condemned when the disease is slight, the carcass may be passed after the removal of the affected portion.

SECTION 36. Carcasses of animal affected with diamond-skin disease (urticarial type of swine erysipelas) Tinea tonsurans, Demodex folliculorum, or erthema may be passed after detaching and condemning the affected skin, if the carcass is otherwise fir for food.

SECTION 37. Carcasses of animal slaughtered while in the advanced stage of pregnancy, showing signs of parturition or within ten days after they have give birth to young ones and show no evidence of septic infection, may be passed for sterilization otherwise, they shall be condemned.

SECTION 38. Carcasses of calves, kids and lambs which are too immature to produce wholesome meat shall be condemned. Any carcass shall be considered to immature to produce wholesome meat if (a) the meat is loose and flabby, has the appearance of being water-soaked, tears easily and can be perforated with the fingers: or (b) its color is grayish-red or (c) mascular development as a while is lacking, especially on the upper shank of the leg, where small amounts of serous infiltration or small edematous patches are sometimes present between the muscles, or (d) the tissue, which later develops as the fat capsule of the kidney is edematous, dirty yellow or grayish.

SECTION 39. All unborn and stillborn animals shall be condemned.

SECTION 40. Disposition of livers affected with carotenosis, telangiectasis and cirrhosis. (a) Livers markedly affected with the above condition shall be condemned. (b) Livers slightly affected may be passed for food after the removal and condemnation of the affected portion.

SECTION 41. Tuberculosis. — The following principles are declared for tuberculosis or associated septic infections:

(a) No meat shall be passed for food if it contains tubercle bacilli, or if it is impregnated with toxic substance of tuberculosis or associated septic infections.

(b) If the tuberculosis lesions are localized and not numerous and that there is evidence of distribution of the bacilli through the blood or by other means to the muscle and if the animal is well nourished and in good condition, showing that there is no proof of reason to suspect that the flesh is unwholesome, the meat shall be passed for food after the removal of the lesions.

(c) Generalized tuberculosis means that the tubercle bacilli have gained entrance into the systemic circulation so that the presence of numerous uniformly distributed tubercles maybe found throughout both lungs, spleen, kidneys, bones, joints and sexual glands and in the lymph nodes, connected with the above mentioned organs and parts, or in the splenic, renal, prescapular, popliteal and inguinal lymph nodes when several of these organs are coincidentally affected.

(d) Localized tuberculosis is one in which the lesions are limited to a single or several parts or organs of the body without evidence of recent invasion of numerous bacilli into the systemic circulation.

ARTICLE VII

Disposition of Carcasses of Animals Affected with Tuberculosis

SECTION 42. The entire carcasses of animals affected with tuberculosis shall be condemned if any of the following conditions occur:

(a) When the animal before slaughter is suffering from fever.

(b) When there is a tuberculosis or other cachexia.

(c) The lesions of tuberculosis are generalized, as shown by their presence not only in the usual seats of primary infection but also in parts of the carcass or in organs that may be reached by the tubercle bacilli only when they are carried in the systemic circulation. Tuberculous lesions in any of the following mentioned organs are to be accepted as evidence of generalization when they occur in addition to the local tuberculous lesions in the digestive or respiratory tracts, including the lymph nodes connected therewith spleen, kidney, uterus, udder, ovary, testicles, adrenal gland, and in the brain or spinal cord on in their membranes. Numerous tubercle uniformly distributed throughout both lungs also afford evidence of generalization. cSEDTC

(d) When the lesions are found in the muscle or intermuscular tissue or bones or joints, or in the body lymph nodes as a result of draining the muscles, bones or joints.

(e) When the lesions are extensive in one or both cavities.

(f) When the lesions are multiple, a cute, and actively progressive, as shown by signs of acute inflammation about lesions, or liquefaction necrosis, or the presence of young tubercles.

(g) Any organ or part of the carcass shall be condemned under any of the following conditions:

i. When it contains lesions of tuberculosis.

ii. When the lesions are localized but in immediately adjacent to the flesh as in the case of tuberculosis of the parietal pleura or peritoneum. In this case not only the membrane or part affected, but also the adjacent thoracic or abdominal wall shall be condemned.

iii. When it has been contaminated by tuberculosis materials through contact with the floor or soiled knife or otherwise.

iv. Heads showing lesions of tuberculosis shall be condemned, except when a head is from the carcass passed for food or for sterilization and the lesions are slight, or calcified, or encapsulated, and are confined to lymph nodes in which no more than two nodes are involved, the head may be passed for sterilization after the diseased tissue have been removed and condemned.

v. An organ shall be condemned when the corresponding lymph node is tuberculosis.

Carcasses showing lesions of tuberculosis shall be passed for food when the lesions are slight, localized and calcified or encapsulated, or are limited to a single or several parts of organs of the body (except as noted above) and there is no evidence of recent invasion of tubercle bacilli in the systematic circulation.

SECTION 43. Brucellosis. — Carcasses affected with localized lesions of brucellosis may be passed for food after the affected parts (uterus and other internal genital organs) are removed and condemned. Likewise, udders from cows officially tagged as Bang's reactor or as mastitis infected cows shall be condemned.

SECTION 44. Surra. — Carcasses of animals affected with surra, if in good condition, may be passed for food. If, however, it is edematous and emaciated, the carcass shall be condemned.

SECTION 45. Disposal of Carcasses, Organs and Parts Showing Evidence of Infestation of Tapeworm Cysts, and Other Parasites. —

(a) Carcasses of cattle (including the viscera) infected with tapeworm cysts known as Cystericercus bovis shall be condemned if in the infestation is excessive or if the meat is watery or discolored. Carcasses shall be considered excessively infected if incisions in various parts of the musculature exposed on most of the cut surfaces two or more cysts within the area of the size of the palm of the hand.

(b) A carcass in which infection with Cystecercus bovis is limited to one dead and degenerated cysts may be passed for food after removal and condemnation of the cysts.

(c) Carcasses of cattle showing a slight or moderate infection other than that indicated in paragraph (b) of this Section but not so extensive as indicated in paragraph (a) of this Section, as determined by a careful examination of the heart, muscle of mastication, diaphragm and its pillars, tongue and of portions of the carcass rendered visible by the process of dressing, may be passed for food after the removal and condemnation of the cysts, with the surrounding tissues. Provided, that the carcass and parts, appropriately identified by retained tags, are held in cold storage at a temperature not higher than (-9.5 ºC continuously for a period of not less than 10 days. And provided further, that boned meat from such carcasses when in boxes, tierces, or like containers, appropriately identified by retained tags, is held at a temperature of not higher than -9.5ºC continuously for a period of not less than 20 days. As an alternative to retention in cold storage as herein provided, such carcasses and parts must be cut out in pieces not greater than six (6) inches and heated in closed or open vat at a temperature of 76.6ºC for a period not less than two and a half (2 1/2) hours.

(d) The edible viscera (except the lungs, fat, muscles of the esophagus, and heart which shall be disposed of as the carcasses), of carcasses for food or for refrigeration under the provisions of paragraph (c) of this Section may be passed for food without refrigerating or heating. Provided, they are found to be free from infestation upon final inspection. The intestines, weasands, and bladders from beef carcasses affected with Cysticercus bovis which have been passed for food or for refrigeration, may be used for caring after they have been subjected to the usual methods of preparations and may be passed for such purpose upon completion of the final inspection.

(e) The inspection for the Cysticercus bovis may be omitted in the case of calves over 6 weeks old for Cysticercus bovis may be limited to a careful examination of the surface of the heart and such other surfaces as are rendered visible by the process of dressing.

(f) Carcasses of hogs affected with tapeworm cysts (C. cellulosae) may be passed for sterilization, but if the infestation is excessive and carcass shall be condemned (as food) and/or rendered into inedible by-product.

(g) Fats of carcasses passed for food or for sterilization under the provisions of paragraphs (c) and (f) of this Section may be passed for food provided they are melted at a temperature of not less than 65.60ºC.

(h) Organs or parts of carcasses infected with hydatid cysts (Echinococcus cysts) shall be condemned. Livers infested with flukes or fringed tapeworms shall be condemned.

(i) In the disposal of carcasses, edible organs and parts of carcasses showing evidence of infestation with parasites not transmissible to man such as the C. cerebrales, sarcosporidia, etc., the following general rules shall govern:

i. If the lesion are localized in such manner and of such character that the parasites and the lesions caused by them may be radically removed, the non-affected portion of the carcass, organ or part of the carcass, may be passed for food after the removal and condemnation of the affected portions.

ii. If the organs or part of the carcass shows numerous lesions caused by the parasites, or if the character of the infestation is such that a complete extirpation of the parasites and lesions is difficult and ascertain, or if the parasitic infestation or invasion renders the organs or parts in any way unfir for food, the affected organ or part shall be condemned.

iii. If the parasites are found to be distributed in a carcass in such a manner or of such character that the removal of the parasites and the lesions caused by them are impracticable, no part of the carcass shall be passed for food.

iv. If the infestation is excessive, the carcass shall be condemned.

v. If infestation is moderate the carcass may be passed for sterilization, but in case such carcass is not cooked as required shall be condemned.

(j) Carcasses of animals found infested with gid bladders worms (Coenurus cerebralis, Multiceps multiceps) may be passed for condemnation of the affected organ (brain and spinal cord).

SECTION 46. Meat and organs such as lungs and livers, etc., which have been condemned on account of parasitic infestation or invasion, sexual or urinous odor, and the flesh of immature and unborn animals and animals which have been condemned due to emaciation, advanced pregnancy and recent parturition, may be utilized at recognized establishment in the manufactured of animal feed. Provided, that such organs and tissues are sterilized by thorough cooking, steam rendering, or desiccation under high temperature. If so utilized, such organs and tissue shall those in which edible products are handled, prepared or stored and apart from those in which edible products are handled, prepared or stored under the supervision of the inspector.

PART II

Poultry

ARTICLE VIII

Ante-Mortem Inspection

SECTION 47. An ante-mortem inspection shall be made of poultry on the day of the slaughter in any official establishment in accordance with the provisions of this Order and NMIC Guidelines approved February, 1974.

SECTION 48. Any bird plainly showing any disease or condition on ante mortem examination shall be marked "CONDEMNED" and/or isolated immediately and disposed of under the supervision of the inspector, in accordance with BAI Adm. No. 5.

SECTION 49. The diseases or conditions which shall warrant outright condemnation are: Avian leukosis complex, botulism, erysipelothrix septicemia, listeriosis, orthnitis and psittacosis, paratyphoid septicemia, septecemi, toxemia, tuberculosis neurolymphomatosis, and new castle disease (Avian Pest).

SECTION 50. Any bird which on ante-mortem inspection does not plainly show, but is suspected of being affected with any disease or condition that under this Order may cause rejection or condemnation, in whole or in part, on post-mortem inspection, shall be marked "SUSPECT" and shall be disposed of in accordance with the provision under this Order (Article IV Sec. II). SDAaTC

SECTION 51. If live poultry, which is affected by any contagious disease that is transmissible to man, is brought into an official establishment, such poultry shall be segregated. The slaughtering of such poultry shall be deferred and the poultry shall be dealt with one of the following ways:

(a) If it is determined by the meat inspector that further handling of poultry will not create a danger to health, the lot shall be slaughtered separately, subject to ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection pursuant to the regulations.

(b) If determined by the inspector that further handling of the poultry will create hazard to health, such poultry may be released for treatment under control of an appropriate BAI quarantine officer. If the circumstances are such that release for treatment is impracticable, a careful bird-by-bird ante-mortem inspection shall be made and all birds found to be, or which are suspected of being affected with a contagious disease transmissible to man shall be condemned.

SECTION 52. When any poultry at an official establishment is suspected of having been treated with or exposed to any substances that may impart a biological residue which would make their edible tissues adulterated they shall, at the option of the operator of the establishment, be processed at the establishment and the carcasses and all parts thereof retained under NMIC "RETAINED" tags pending final disposition in accordance with Article II of this Order, or they shall be slaughtered at the establishment and buried or incinerated in a manner satisfactory to the inspector. Alternatively, such poultry may be returned to the grower for further holding if it will result in the removal of the biological residue.

ARTICLE IX

Post-Mortem Inspection

SECTION 53. (a) A post-mortem inspection shall be made of a bird-by-bird basis on all poultry eviscerated in an official establishment. No viscera or any part thereof shall be removed from any poultry processed in any official establishment except at the time of post-mortem inspection unless their identity with the rest of the carcass is maintained in a manner satisfactory to the inspector until such inspection is made. Each carcass to be eviscerated shall be opened so as to expose the organs and the body cavity for proper examination by the inspector and shall be prepared immediately after inspection as ready-to-cook poultry. If a carcass is frozen it shall be thoroughly thawed before being opened for examination by the inspector. Each carcass or all parts comprising such carcass, shall be examined by the inspector, except for parts that are intended for human food and are condemned.

(b) Each carcass including all parts thereof, in which there is any lesion of disease, or other condition which might rendered such carcass or any part thereof adulterated and with respect to which a final decision cannot be made on first examination. The identity of each carcass including all parts thereof, shall be maintained until such final examination has been completed.

SECTION 55. n  Each carcass and all organs and other parts of carcasses which are found to be wholesome, fit and not adulterated shall be passed for human food.

SECTION 56. (a) The carcasses or parts of carcasses of all poultry inspected at an official establishment and found at the time of post-mortem inspection, or at any subsequent inspection, to be affected with any of the diseases or conditions named in any other section in this sub-part, shall be disposed of in accordance with the section pertaining to the disease or condition. Owing to the fact that it is impracticable to formulate rules for each specific disease or conditions and to designate at just what state of disease process results in an adulterated article, the decision as to the disposal of all carcasses, organs or other parts not specifically covered by the regulations, or any instruction of the Administration issued pursuant thereto, shall be left to the Inspector-in-charge. If the Inspector-in-charge is in doubt concerning the disposition to be made, specimens from such carcasses shall be forwarded to the National Meat Inspection Commission laboratory for diagnosis. Provided, that in the absence of a laboratory, the decision of the meat inspector pertaining to the said carcasses shall be final as regard their final disposal.

(b) All carcasses, organs, or other parts of carcasses of poultry shall be condemned, if it is determined on the basis of sound statistical sample that they are adulterated because of the presence of any biological residue.

SECTION 57. Carcass of birds which on post-mortem examination are found affected with the following diseases or conditions shall be condemned and/or passed for either sterilization or rendering as the conditions warrants:

1. Abnormal odor

2. Abnormal staining

3. Botulism

4. Carcasses of birds (with evidence of having died from causes other than slaughter)

5. Carcasses contaminated with volatile oils, paints, poisons, gases, etc.

6. Decomposing carcasses

7. Emaciation

8. Enteritis

9. Hepatitis (acute blackhead)

10. Inflammatory processes with evidence of systemic disturbance

11. Listeriosis

12. Leukosis complex (should be handled in a case to case basis e.g., ocular lymphomatosis may be passed for food after removal of the head)

13. Marek's disease

14. Ornithosis

15. Over-scalded carcasses

16. Peritonitis

17. Poisoning from sulfonamide

18. Psittacosis

19. Salpingitis

20. Septecemia

21. Toxemia

22. Tuberculosis

23. Tumors with evidence of metastasis

SECTION 58. Carcasses and parts of carcasses which on post-mortem examination are found affected with the following diseases or conditions may be passed for food after the removal of the affected parts:

1. Chronic hepatitis (from blackhead)

2. Coli-granulomatosis (slight with few nodules in intestine)

3. Hemorrhages (traumatic)

4. Joints and tendon sheath inflammation

5. Perosis and bruises

6. Presternal and bruises

7. Tumors (non-malignant and/or localized)

PART III

Rabbits

ARTICLE X

Inspection of Domestic Rabbits

SECTION 59. In this part, the following names or terms should mean:

(a). "rabbit" refers to domestic rabbit;

(b). eviscerated domestic rabbit is a rabbit that has been slaughtered for food and from which the head, blood, skin, feet and the organs of the respiratory, digestive, urinary, genital system have been removed and is ready to cook without any further processing of the cut-up disjointed portion of the carcass.

SECTION 60. An ante-mortem inspection shall be made of the rabbit on the day of slaughter in any authorized establishment. However, its slaughter, evisceration shall be conducted in the specified and allocated section of the meat apart from where other animals are killed.

SECTION 61. An examination and inspection shall be made by or under the supervision of a regular or deputized meat control officer and/or meat inspector at the time of slaughter of the carcass and parts thereof of all rabbits slaughtered at an establishment; if the examination reveals no ground for detaining or condemning any carcass or portions thereof, inspectors shall pass and mark the same as required by NMIC Administrative Order No. 6.

SECTION 62. The disease or conditions which shall warrant attention, examination and inspection and the passing of judgement are the following:

(a) Bacterial — (1) Tuberculosis; (2) Tularemia; (3) Snuffles

(b) Parasitic — (1) Coccidiosis; (2) Cystecercosis; (3) Mange

(c) Spirochaetosis — (1) Venerial infection

(d) Viral — (1) Myxomatosis

(e) Disease conditions of refrigerated rabbit meat:

i. Mold formation

ii. Yellow coloration of fat

iii. Decomposition and offensive odor of meat

SECTION 63. The disease and conditions which shall warrant condemnation on ante-mortem inspection are:

(1) Tuberculosis and

(2) Tularemia

SECTION 64. Any rabbit which on ante-mortem inspection does not plainly show, but is suspected of being affected with any disease or condition which may cause its rejection or condemnation on post-mortem examination, shall be marked "SUSPECT" and shall be disposed of under the provision of meat and poultry inspection.

SECTION 65. If a rabbit, which is affected by any contagious disease that is transmissible to man is brought into an official establishment, such rabbit shall be segregated and released for treatment under the control of a BAI quarantine officer. If however, the quarantine or treatment is impracticable the animal shall be condemned.

SECTION 66. Each carcass, and all organs and other parts of carcasses which are found wholesome and fit shall be passed for food.

SECTION 67. All carcasses, organs or other parts of carcasses of rabbit at an establishment which are found at a time of post-mortem inspection, or at any subsequent inspection to be affected with any of this sub-part, shall be disposed in accordance with the section pertaining to the disease or conditions.

SECTION 68. All carcasses of rabbits which on post-mortem examination are found affected with the following disease shall be condemned.

1. Tuberculosis (advance)

2. Tularemia

3. Advance stage of coccidiosis

4. Cysticercosis Cysts of T. pisiformis and M. serialis

5. Myxomatosis (generalized)

SECTION 69. Carcasses of rabbits affected slightly with the following diseases or conditions may be passed for food after the removal of affected part or organs:

1. Slight cases of tuberculosis if the animal is well-fed and properly nourished.

2. Mild cases of coccidiosis.

3. Slight spirochetosis after removal of affected parts.

SECTION 70. Carcasses of rabbits affected with the following deteriorative conditions, if serve, shall be condemned:

1. Decomposition and offensive odor of meat caused by myiasis infection.

2. Mold formation in refrigerated stored rabbit meat.

3. Yellow coloration of the fat of imported rabbits due to faulty refrigeration and those caused by dietetic factors.

ARTICLE XI

Sterilization and/or Means of Rendering Condemned Livestock and Poultry Carcasses and Parts and Their Disposal

SECTION 71. Carcasses and parts passed for sterilization may be converted into edible meat, lard or tallow by the use of melter or digester or open kettle; Provided, that the carcass and parts thereof shall be cooked at a temperature not lower than 104.5ºC for time sufficient render to them effectually into lard or tallow, or for a period not less than thirty minutes under strick supervision of meat inspector.

SECTION 72. Condemned carcasses and parts may be rendered according to their merits into industrial fats and tallow, bone meal, tankage, fertilizers, etc., in appropriate rendering equipment.

SECTION 73. Carcasses, organs or parts thereof, condemned under the provisions of this Order at an approved establishment which has no facilities for rendering or tanking, shall be denatured with crude carbolic acid, strong creoline solution or other prescribed agents or destroyed by incineration. If such condemned carcasses, organdy or parts thereof are not incinerated, they shall be buried not less than one meter deep in the ground within the premises of the establishment or at any place designated for the purpose in the presence of two or more disinterested parties under the supervision of the meat inspector. EcTCAD

ARTICLE XIII n

Offenses and Penalties

SECTION 76. n  (a) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or any agent or employees thereof to give pay or offer, directly or indirectly to any inspector authorized to perform any duty prescribed by these regulations, any monetary consideration or things of value with intent to influence such inspector in the discharge of his duty as to violate directly or indirectly any provisions of this Order. It shall likewise be unlawful under this regulations for any inspector or other employees engaged in the performance of any duty prescribed under this regulations to accept from any person, firm corporation or partnership or from any agent or employee of such firm, person, corporation or partnership, any gift, money or other things of value given with intent to influence his official actions.

(b) Any person, either for himself or in behalf of another person, firm corporation, or partnership, who shall slaughter animals which have been submitted for ante-mortem examination as prescribed in this Order or who shall store, transport, sell or otherwise dispose of for food carcasses, organs or parts thereof which has been previously inspected and passed or have been found upon inspection to be unfit for human consumption, or who shall contavene or violate any if the provisions of this Order as it involves the safety of public health, or who shall falsify, forge, counterfeit, alter, deface or destroy any certificate, pass, tag, and other papers issued or marked by the virtue of this Order, shall be liable to prosecution and upon conviction shall suffer the penalty provided in the second paragraph of Section 2747 of the Revised Administrative Code (Act 2711) which is fine of not more than one hundred (P100.00) or imprisonment of not more than thirty days or both, in the discretion of the court. 

ARTICLE XIV

Repealing Provision

SECTION 77. All Orders, rules and regulations, inconsistent with the provisions of this Order are hereby repealed.

ARTICLE XV

Effectivity

SECTION 78. This Order shall take effect upon approval.

RECOMMENDED BY:

(SGD.) SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO IIIDirector

(SGD.) ARTURO R. TANCO, JR.Secretary of Agriculture

n Note from the Publisher: Copied verbatim from the official copy. Missing Section 54.

n Note from the Publisher: Copied verbatim from the official copy. Missing Article XII.

n Note from the Publisher: Copied verbatim from the official copy. Missing Sections 74 and 75.