Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

A41: Microbiological criteria of the final product 

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

3.4 Water
3.4.1 Potable water
3.4.1.1 Subject to the provisions of 3.4.2, every factory shall have an adequate supply of clean potable water that is free from suspended matter and substances that could be deleterious to the product or harmful to health. In addition, the water shall have been so treated, by flocculation, filtration, chlorination or other acceptable processes, as to ensure compliance with the following requirements:
a) coliform organisms: the count of coliform organisms shall not exceed five organisms per 100 ml of the water (see 10.16); and
b) faecal coliform bacteria: faecal coliform bacteria shall not be detectable in 100 ml of the water (see 10.16).
3.4.1.2 For the purposes of the water examination, coliform group shall include all gram-negative, non-spore-forming rods capable of fermenting lactose with the production of acid and gas at 37 °C in less than 48 h. Faecal coliform bacteria shall be regarded as gram-negative, non-spore-forming rods capable of fermenting lactose with the production of acid and gas at both 37 °C and 44 °C in less than 48 h, and of producing indole in tryptone water.
3.4.1.3 Chlorinated water that could have any deleterious effect on the product shall be dechlorinated immediately before use. In all cases, the free residual chlorine concentration shall be determined by the N,N-diethyl-I ,4-l-phenylenediamine test or other acceptable test that has equivalent sensitivity.
3.4.1.4 Factory installations for the treatment of water shall be thoroughly cleaned at least once a week by an acceptable method.
3.4.2 Sea water
Clean, uncontaminated, freshly pumped sea water may be used for any purpose in the factory, provided that the count of coliform organisms does not exceed 50 organisms per 100 ml of the water (see 10.16) and no faecal coliform bacteria are detectable in 100 ml of the water (see 10.16).
3.4.3 Water for cleaning
Water used for the cleaning of the plant and equipment shall comply with the requirements of 3.4.1 or 3.4.2, as relevant. Chlorinated water that could have any deleterious effect on the product shall be dechlorinated immediately before use. In all cases, the free residual chlorine concentration shall be determined by the N, N-diethyl-I ,4-l-phenylenediamine test or other acceptable test that has equivalent sensitivity.
3.4.4 Ice
The purity of ice shall be such that the water derived from it (by melting the ice under aseptic conditions at a temperature not exceeding 10 °C) immediately after the ice has been manufactured, complies with the microbiological requirements of 3.4.1 or 3.4.2, as relevant.
4.11 Microbiologicalrequirements
When tested in accordance with the methods given in 10.6 to 10.14, the product shall comply with the requirements given in column 2 or column 3 of table 1, as relevant. 

Reference of the measure

Regulation 3.4 and 4.11 

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