§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if imported processed beef products are subject to the same checks for specified risk material contamination as imported carcase beef. [147856]
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§ Ms Stuart[holding answer 30 January 2001]: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that all checks for specified risk material (SRM) contamination rely on a careful visual inspection of carcase meat to ensure that the specified tissues have been fully removed. A visual check for SRM contamination is not possible once meat has been processed. Advice on the safety of imported beef and beef products was issued by the FSA on 22 December.