The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mr Senzeni Zokwana has approved the long anticipated amendments to the Poultry Meat Regulations regarding Control over the Sale of which were published in the Government Gazette on Friday, 2 October 2015.
These latest amendments include, among others, the following major changes for producers of both fresh and frozen poultry meat:
- The total brine injection allowed for whole carcasses is limited to maximum 10% (versus the maximum of 8% that was previously prescribed).
- Total brine injection allowed for individual portions is limited to maximum 15% (no limit was previously prescribed).
- The product name shall include a true description of the added formulated solution. [e.g. ‘chicken with brine’, ‘sweet ‘n sour marinated chicken drumsticks’, etc.]
- Producers must regularly perform tests to ensure compliance with the new water uptake and injection limits, and must keep records thereof for at least 1 year.
These amendments will be phased in over a period of 6 months to allow for producers to gradually adjust the levels of brine injection and to bring the labelling of these products in line with the new requirements.
The department remains committed to ensuring that these regulations are enforced, the quality of poultry meat is maintained and that consumers are enabled to make informed decisions about the poultry meat products they buy.
For media enquiries please contact:
Makenosi Maroo
Tel: 012 319 6787
Cell: 072 475 2956
E-mail: MakenosiM@daff.gov.za
