Maintaining the cold chain during storage and transport of meat

The time between slaughter and mincing of meat can be extended without causing additional growth of pathogenic bacteria provided that the permitted storage temperatures are lowered.

This is the main conclusion of an EFSA scientific opinion that has assessed combinations of storage times and storage temperatures for different types of meat and compared bacterial growth in these scenarios to the current standards.

The maintenance of the cold chain is one of the main principles and basic requirements of the EU legislation on food hygiene.

• Scientific Opinion on the public health risks related to the maintenance of the cold chain during storage and transport of meat. Part 2 (minced meat from all species)