Hi Rosaleen,
5.9 Animal primary conversion is a new section in BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 9, previously there was just a requirement for the inspection of live animals.
For 5.9.1, you require a risk assessment for potential prohibited substances such as growth hormones (those prohibited by legislation in the country of operation or intended country of sale). This can be completed as part of section 3.5.1 Management of suppliers of raw materials and packaging which also requires you to have supplier approval and monitoring processes, the output from this risk assessment for potential prohibited substances must be included in those activities.
For 5.9.2, In Issue 8 this clause was 3.5.2.3 and required inspection by a suitably competent individual, if you are certified you should have already implemented this.
Section 3.9 covers Traceability, 5.9.3 adds a specific requirement to be able to trace all edible parts of the carcass.
From BRCGS Guidance:
If traceability is to the day or batch rather than to specific carcasses, in the event of a product withdrawal or recall, the whole day of production or batch may need to be recalled for each edible part.
For 5.9.4, you need to establish defined time and temperature requirements for all post-slaughter processes (e.g. cooling, processing, storage, distribution) for all chilled or frozen edible parts of the carcass. These should be documented in some way in the form of procedures, process specifications or work instructions etc.
From BRCGS Guidance:
Clause 6.1.1 requires the site to have documented process specifications and work instructions for all key processes that may adversely affect product safety, legality and quality. This requirement specifically focuses on the need for post-slaughter times and temperatures to ensure product safety.
Kind regards,
Tony
