Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

A64: Storage and transport conditions 

Date when the measure came into force

04 September 2003 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Notice No. R. 978 (Government Gazette 25171) Of 4 July 2003 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Compulsory Specification For Frozen Rock Lobster And Frozen Lobster Products Derived Therefrom 

Country/Region applying the measure

South Africa 

The rationale of the measure

This specification covers requirements for the handling, preparation,processing, packaging,freezing, storage and quality of frozen lobster tails, frozen whole lobster (cooked or raw) or any other frozen lobster product derived from lobsters of the families Palinuridae and Scyllaridae, and of the family Nephropidae (genera Homarus, Nephrops and Metanephrops, or any other species of lobster), intended for human consumption. It also covers requirements for factories and employees involved in the production. 

Coded list of objectives

X: For purposes n.e.s. 

Description of the measure

3.2.1 3.3 Packing and packaging materials
Clean, dustproof, verminproof and dry storerooms shall be provided for the storage of packaging materials
3.6.5 Containers, bins and crates for the handling of raw material and the product
When filled or partly filled with raw material or with the product, containers shall not be stacked in a way that allows contact of the contents of a container with the bottom of the container stacked above it. Containers that hold edible materials shall not be stacked direction the floor or against the wall, and whenever they are moved, they shall be effectively protected from contamination. Containers that hold edible materials shall be stored at least 250 mm above floor level. Where pallets are used instead of racks, shelves or stands, there shall be a clearance of at least 100 mm above floor level. Containers shall be of hygienic design and shall eitherbelight coloured or have a bright metallic finish. Non-edible materials shall not be stored in the same room as edible ingredients or in the preparation or processing areas of the factory.
3.6.6 Wrapping materials
Wrapping materials used during the packaging of the product shall be kept in corrosion-resistant containers of hygienic construction, and shall be so dispensed, that the wrappers require only minimum handling.
3.6.7 Packaging materials
Materials for the packaging of the product shall be stored on racks/shelves at a distance of at least 250 mm from the floor or on pallets, and away from the walls.
3.6.8 Spare parts
Spare parts for machinery, and other items that are capable of contaminating the product, shall be stored away from the preparation, processing, packaging and product storage areas.
3.6.9 Freezers, chill rooms, freezer storage rooms and their equipment and instruments
Freezers, chill rooms, freezer storage rooms and their equipment and instruments shall operate efficiently and shall be kept clean and in a hygienic condition. The temperature in freezer storage rooms shall be automatically and continuously monitored and a record of the temperature shall be kept and shall be available for inspection. Products shall not be stacked direct on the floor or against the walls. No material other than the product or ingredients of the product shall be stored in freezers, chill rooms or freezer storage rooms. No condition and no object or matter that could affect the flavour, odour or appearance of the frozen product in any way shall be present in freezers, chill rooms and freezer storage rooms.
4.2 Transportation of whole lobsters and lobster tails to processing and
freezing plants
4.2.1 General
Transportation of whole lobster to processing and freezing plants, which shall be done in accordance with the relevant regulations of the Sea Fishery Act, 1988 (Act 12 of 1988), shall be performed under clean and hygienic conditions, and the product in transit shall be fully protected from contamination by dust and other foreign matter and from the heat of the sun. Lobster shall not be transported under conditions that adversely affect or impair the product. Lobster shall not be transported with other products. Means of transport used for lobster shall not be used for other products likely to impair or contaminate the lobster. The inside surfaces of the means of transport shall be so finished that they do not adversely affect the lobster. The inside surfaces shall be smooth and easily cleaned and disinfected. The lobsters shall be kept moist cool and alive. Coverings used over unprotected raw
material shall not rest on the raw material direct. The method of transportation, and the manner in which lobsters are held during transportation, shall be such that the lobsters are not damaged in any way. Suitable measuring instruments shall be used to measure temperatures specified in the following clauses.
4.2.2 Whole lobsters
Whole lobsters shall be alive upon arrival at the packing plant. For the attainment of this, provision of refrigeration during transportation might be necessary. Neither fresh-water ice nor ice water shall be allowed to come into contact with the lobsters during such transportation.
4.2.3 Lobster tails
Lobster tails shall not be transported in the unfrozen state unless:
a) they have been properly gutted and washed;
b) they are individually well wrapped, graded and packed in their final containers;
c) they are refrigerated to a temperature not lower than -1 ̊C and not higher than 4 ̊C and transported to nearby freezing facilities within 5 h after being packaged; and
d) the transportation vehicle is of hygienic construction
4.4.1 General
A lobster shall at no time be held under adverse conditions of storage, for example in corrugated iron structures that are subjected to direct sunlight. If, after landing, lobsters cannot be removed to processing factories without undue delay, or have to be held at a packing plant (or both), they shall be kept alive either by submersion in clean running sea water or by being held at an ambient temperature in the range 4 ̊C to 12 ̊C.
5.4.2 The product shall be stored and maintained at a temperature of -18 ̊Cor lower. If, at any time during storage, the temperature of the product rises above this temperature, it shall be rapidly lowered to -18 ̊C.If the temperature rises above -7 ̊C,the product shall, in addition, be resubmitted for inspection to the authority administering this specification. Products that, before dispatch for sale, are held for periods exceeding those specified in table 2 shall, prior to preparation for dispatch, be resubmitted for inspection to the'authority administering this specification.
7.2.1 General
The delivery of frozen products shall take place under hygienic conditions that will not adversely affect the quality of the product.
7.2.3 Delivery for local sale
The frozen product for local distribution shall be conveyed in refrigerated or insulated trucks from the factory or the freezer storage depot to the point of retail sale. The temperature of the product during local transportation shall, except at the outer surfaces of a stack, be -20 "Cor lower. Refrigerated trucks shall be fitted with at least one thermometer that is so installed as to be readable from outside the refrigerated compartment. 

Reference of the measure

Regulations 3.2.1 3.3,
Regulations 3.6.5 to 3.6.9
Regulation 4.2.2 , 4.2.3 , 4.4.1 , 5.4.2 , 7.2.1 and 7.2.3 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Frozen rock lobster and frozen lobster products derived therefrom 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries