Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B7: Product quality, safety or performance requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

09 September 2004 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Notice R. 791 (Government Gazette 26531) of 9 July 2004 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Compulsory Specification For The Manufacture, Production, Processing and Treatment of Canned Meat Products 

Country/Region applying the measure

South Africa 

The rationale of the measure

This specification specifies requirements for the manufacture, production, processing and treatment of canned meat products intended for human consumption. 

Coded list of objectives

X: For purposes n.e.s. 

Description of the measure

7.1 Stewed or braised meat, stewed oxtail, stewed tripe, stewed or braised kidneys, stewed or braised heart, stewed or braised liver, meatballs, stewed meat and kidney pudding, and similar stewed products, with or without gravys sauces, or dressing
7.1.1 Preparation of meat and edible offal
Musculature meat for use in stewed or braised meat products shall be trimmed until it is free from perceptible fat, free surface-showing connective tissue and fascia, and where applicable it shall be cut into pieces of approximately the same size and shape that are not more than 50 mm long.
If the meat is minced and then formed into units, the units shall be approximately regular in size and shape. When determined in accordance with 11.3 and 11.4, the actual total meat content of ingoing units shall be not less than 50 % by mass. The ingoing units may contain starchy (farinaceous) material to the extent of not more than 6 % determined in accordance with 11.5 and calculated as crude starch. The units in the product described as meatballs, shall be formed into a characteristic shape and shall be readily separable. Meat patties shall be formed with substantially the same diameter as that of the container.
Kidneys shall be acceptably trimmed and free from adhering fat, connective tissue, renal ducts, urine flavour, and black or blue discolouration. Kidneys for use in kidney pudding shall be cut to acceptable size. Kidneys, liver, tongue, heart and tripe for use in stewed or braised products and puddings, shall be suitably prepared and cut into pieces that appear regular in size and shape, the smallest dimension of pieces of kidney being at least 10 mm. The product shall be free from any odour or flavour of urine.
Only oxtail, mutton and game meat from the ribs and neck may be packed on the bone. No free bone or sharp bones shall be present.
7.1.2 Texture of meat and edible offal in ppepared product
In the prepared product, meat and edible offal shall not be fibrous, tough or mushy. Individual pieces of meat in stewed steak shall substantially retain their shape; pieces of meat shall be easily separable. The product shall be practically free from sinews and/or connective tissue.
7.1.3 Sauce, gravy or broth
Although vegetables and/or fruit shall not be present as chunks or as large pieces or whole units, they may be used in the preparation of sauce or gravy. The sauce or gravy may contain starchy (farinaceous) material that shall be not more than 6 % by mass determined in accordance with 11.5 and calculated as crude starch. The sauce or gravy may be suitably spiced.
Where the product is claimed to have been packed in natural broth, or in thick or rich sauce or gravy, the character of the packing medium shall, after equilibrium has been reached, be in accordance with the claim made. A canned meat product that has been packed in natural broth shall not be labelled as having been packed in gravy or in sauce.
7.1.4 Curing salts
The product shall not contain curing salts unless its name indicates the presence of cured meat.
7.1.5 Composition
The composition of the product shall comply with the relevant requirements given in table 1, the specified meat content and edible offal content percentages being applicable to the drained mass determined in accordance with 10.5. In addition, coagulated exuded fat shall not constitute more than 12 % of the required meat content or edible offal content and shall not be considered to be part of the drained mass requirement of the product 

Reference of the measure

Regulation 7.1 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Stewed or braised meat, stewed oxtail, stewed tripe, stewed or braised kidneys, stewed or braised heart, stewed or braised liver, meatballs, stewed meat and kidney pudding, and similar stewed products, with or without gravys
sauces, or dressing 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries