Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Both conditions, especially where unassociated with
concurrent disease, are among the most difficult to
assess on meat inspection. This is particularly the case in
regions where conditional approval for manufacturing
purposes and/or heat treatment is not authorised. Regard
has to be given to the extent of emaciation, presence/
absence of oedema and concurrent disease.
In borderline cases, it is advisable to detain the carcase
for 12 hours. If after this time there is considerable dry-
ing of the body cavities with absence of serous infiltra-
tion of muscles combined with negative laboratory tests,
the carcase may receive a more favourable judgement.
Emaciation and oedema frequently coexist and are
suggestive of pathological emaciation.
The Codex Alimentarius Commission Alinorm
93/16A
Recommended Final Judgement
for 'General
chronic conditions such as anaemia, cachexia,
emacia-
tion
, loathsome appearance, degeneration of organs' is
total condemnation.
Depending upon the
extent
of the condition the fol-
lowing conclusions may be drawn:
The
live animal
, especially equines and ruminants,
shows a great loss of skin turgor and an increase in skin
extensibility owing to the huge loss of subcutaneous fat.
The skin
tenting test
(picking up of a fold of skin and not-
ing the time for the fold to disappear) in an emaciated
animal usually takes some 45 seconds or more. The eyes
are sunken in their orbits because of the reduction of
orbital fat, giving the eyes a gaunt, sunken appearance.
All the bony prominences - spinous processes of verte-
brae, hip bones, ischial tubers, stifle, elbow, shoulder
joint, etc. - are conspicuous, while the ribs stand out
clearly. Weakness is very evident, the heart rate is
reduced, the pulse is full and blood pressure is raised.
Body weight loss may be as great as 50-60%. Recumbency
eventually ensues with death due to circulatory failure.
The blood chemistry changes follow those of starva-
tion. There is abnormal regression of body condition
with diminution in size of the organs, especially the
muscles, liver and spleen. The outstanding feature, how-
ever, is the
loss of body fat
and an alteration in its consist-
ency. The locations that normally carry adipose tissue
- mesentery, omentum, perirenal fat, mediastinum, sub-
cutaneous fat and inter- and intramuscular fat - are
shrunken, and the remaining fat has an abnormal
appearance, being oedematous and jelly-like in consist-
ency and of a sickly yellowish colour. The loss of inter-
muscular fat gives a loose, flabby appearance to the
muscles which may be pale in colour if accompanied by
anaemia. There is also an increase in muscle connective
tissue associated with atrophy of the actual muscles.
Chemical analysis of the meat reveals an increase in
water content compared with the normal and a decrease of
protein, fat and inorganic salts. In extremely emaciated ani-
mals, the water content is about 80% and protein about
19%, giving a ratio of water to protein of over 4 to 1. In lean
but healthy animals, the percentage of water is rarely above
76.5% and the protein content about 22%, making the
water-protein ratio less than 4 to 1. The ratio between water
and protein may be of value in distinguishing between car-
cases that are very thin and those that are emaciated.
The lymph nodes, especially in young emaciated ani-
mals, are enlarged and oedematous. The marrow of long
bones is red, watery and poor in fat content, the fat in
some cases being replaced by wet, slimy material (
serous
atrophy of fat
).
An emaciated carcase does not set in the normal
manner and has a moist appearance on its surface and in
the body cavities. Changes in the consistency of the fat
are best seen around the base of the heart, in the medi-
astinum, in the kidney region or between the spinous
processes of the vertebrae.
Judgement is based on the degree of loss of condition,
efficiency of setting, presence of concurrent disease and
results of laboratory examinations.
1
Approved as fit for human consumption, with distri-
bution restricted to limited areas
2
Meat showing minor deviations from normal but fit
for human consumption
3
Conditionally approved for human consumption after
heat treatment, if economically justified
Total condemnation is always warranted if the condi-
tion is caused by chronic infection and laboratory exam-
ination has established presence of infection, recent use
of antimicrobial substances or drug residues.
Contamination
Contamination with
faeces
is one of the greatest hazards to
public health encountered in meat inspection. This is
most commonly due to presentation of heavily soiled and/
or wet animals to hurried or poor 'bunging' technique and
full stomachs and intestines rupturing on removal. Food
business operators could greatly reduce this risk by the
introduction of mechanical bungers such as the Jarvis or
Jupiter systems for cattle and pigs, by tying or bagging the
'bung' in cattle and sheep or by applying ligatures, clips or
elastrator rings or 'rodding' the oesophagus.
Contamination of the carcase with purulent material,
bile or faeces should always be removed by trimming.
parasitic conditions
Ascaris suum
Found in pigs,
A. suum
is a large roundworm the migrat-
ing larvae of which cause typical white spots on the liver
rendering in aesthetically unfit. The largest nematode of
the pig is up to 40 cm long. Its life cycle is direct.
