Animal by-products rules and food hygiene for intestines

When you work with natural casing for food use you work at the intersection of two different EU regulations each with its own purpose. Understanding the difference between them helps understand why certain parts of your work are regulated one way and other parts another way.

§Food Hygiene Regulations — when the intestine is a food

EU Regulation 853/2004 sets specific hygiene requirements for animal food products, including products such as edible natural casings. As long as the intestine is intended for consumption—that is, to be used as a casing for food products—it is this regulation that sets the framework for hygiene, temperature control, and documentation in production.

§The rules on animal by-products – when the material is not for consumption

EU Regulation 1069/2009 regulates animal by-products not intended for consumption—that is, material discarded in production and not ending as food. This regulation divides material into categories (categories 1, 2, and 3) by risk, and sets requirements for how it is handled, transported, and disposed of properly.

§Approval and supervision

Companies that process animal raw materials — whether for food use or not — must be approved or registered with the food authorities. This also applies to the companies gut technicians typically work at and it means continuous inspection that procedures are followed.

• 01Regulation 853/2004 regulates hygiene for animal foods including edible casings
• 02Regulation 1069/2009 regulates material not intended for consumption
• 03Companies must be approved or registered with the food authorities
• 04Both sets of rules are part of the overall framework for an intestinal technician's workplace

“Two rule sets one goal: that what ends up on a plate can be safely eaten — and what doesn't is handled responsibly”