Kenya Meat Commission (Grading) Regulations (Cap. 363)

[Rev. 2012] CAP. 363 Kenya Meat Commission [Subsidiary] 27 [Issue 1] REGULATIONS UNDER SECTION 24 KENYA MEAT COMMISSION (GRADING) REGULATIONS [L.N. 142/1969, L.N. 42/1970, L.N. 23/1971, L.N. 263/1971, L.N. 119/1972, L.N. 278/1974, L.N. 67/1979, L.N. 90/1981, L.N. 91/1983, L.N. 32/1984.] 1. These Regulations may be cited as the Kenya Meat Commission (Grading) Regulations. 2. In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires— “abattoir” means any place appointed by the Minister to be an abattoir for the purpose of these Regulations; “chief grader” means a person appointed by the Minister to be a chief grader for the purpose of these Regulations; “grader” means a person appointed by the Minister to be a grader for the purposes of these Regulations; “grade mark” means, in relation to any carcass, a mark stamped or to be stamped on such carcass to indicate the grade to which such carcass has been placed by the chief grader or a grader. 3. The chief grader shall— (a) supervise the work of graders; (b) ensure consistency in grading in accordance with these Regulations; (c) consider and determine all appeals made to him under regulation 4. 4. An owner of slaughter stock or his employee, a trader or a recognized representative of a trader’s organization who is aggrieved by the decision of an appointed grader may appeal against such decision to the chief grader. 5. Every slaughter stock purchased by the Commission, and passed fit for human consumption shall be graded according to the specifications set forth in the first column of the Schedule and stamped with the grade mark specified in relation thereto in the second column of the Schedule. [L.N. 67/1979, s. 2.] 6. (1) No person shall procure, make, prepare or cause to be procured, made or prepared a grade mark except under and in accordance with the written authority of the chief grader. (2) Any person who contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence. 7. (1) No person shall affix, place or cause to be affixed or placed on any carcass a grade mark except under and in accordance with directions of a grader. (2) Any person who contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence. 8. Any person who is guilty of an offence under these Regulations shall be liable to a fine not exceeding two thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two months or to both. CAP. 363 [Rev. 2012] Kenya Meat Commission [Subsidiary] [Issue 1] 28 SCHEDULE [L.N. 42/1970, L.N. 23/1971, L.N. 263/1971, L.N. 119/1972, L.N. 278/1974, L.N. 67/1979, L.N. 90/1981, L.N. 91/1983, L.N. 32/1984.] Specification of Grades Grade Mark BEEF—“PREMIUM” GRADE PRIME Eligible slaughter stock—steers, bulls and heifers. CDW limits: Steers and bulls 180 kilos Heifers 160 kilos to 320 kg. Fat cover—maximum 20 mm. Age—steers and heifers — maximum 42 months. bulls—maximum 18 months. Dentition—steers and heifers — Maximum 6 incisors (3 pairs). bulls—milk teeth only “Premium” grade beef shall be derived from carcasses with very good conformation and shall be well finished. The fat covering shall be evenly and moderately distributed over the entire carcass. The fat shall be a white/creamy colour and of firm consistency. The rib eye muscle shall be well rounded with a bright cherry red colour and with a moderate amount of marbling. The lean muscular meat shall have a fine texture. The carcass shall be free of blemishes other than statutory excisions. Any carcass retained for measles shall be excluded from this grade. BEEF—“HIGHGRADE” GRADE F.A.Q Eligible slaughter stock—all CDW limits—minimum 150 kg —no maximum Fat cover—maximum 20 mm. Age—steers and females—no limit. bulls—maximum 18 months Dentition-steers and females—no limit bulls milk teeth only. “Highgrade” grade beef shall be derived from well proportioned and well fleshed carcasses with fairly evenly distributed fat, not excessively yellow or oily. The hindquarters shall be free from blemishes but superficial blemishes may be allowed on the forequarters. Any carcass in this grade retained because it contains not more than five measle cysts (Cysticercus Bovis) and is slaughtered at an abattoir which has the necessary freezing or sterilizing facilities shall be known as “Retained Highgrade Beef” and the grade price shall be lowered by a “Retained Penalty” as may be determined. BEEF—“STANDARD” GRADE STANDARD or Eligible slaughter stock—all. S.T.D CDW limits—no limit. Fat cover—no limit. Age—no limit Dentition—no limit. “Standard” grade beef shall be derived from carcasses with some covering of fat. Carcasses having extensive and penetrating blemishes affecting the prime cuts shall not be included in this grade. Any carcass in this grade retained because it contains not more than five measle cysts (Cysticercus Bovis) and is slaughtered at an abattoir which has the necessary freezing or sterilizing facilities shall be known as “Retained Standard Beef” and the grade price shall be lowered by a “Retained Penalty” as may be determined. [Rev. 2012] CAP. 363 Kenya Meat Commission [Subsidiary] 29 [Issue 1] SCHEDULE—continued BEEF—“COMMERCIAL” GRADE COMM Eligible slaughter stock—all. CDW limits—no limit. Fat cover—no limit. Age—no limit. Dentition—no limit. “Commercial” grade beef shall be derived from carcasses that do not qualify for any of the above grades. This grade shall include beef from higher grades which is severely blemished provided it does not contain more than twenty measle cysts (Cysticercus Bovis). BEEF—“MANUFACTURING” GRADE MAN Eligible slaughter stock—all. CDW limits—no limit. Fat cover—no limit. Age—no limit. Dentition—no limit. At an abattoir where manufacturing facilities exist, “Manufacturing” Grade Beef shall be derived from beef carcasses so severely and extensively blemished or of such inferior quality as to be unfit for resale as fresh meat and from carcasses which have to be cooked or boiled due to measle cysts being present in the meat. BEEF—“VEAL MEAT” VEAL Eligible slaughter stock—all calves. CDW limits—minimum 50 kg.—maximum 100 kg. Age—6 to 9 months. Dentition—First permanent upper molar teeth not erupted. “Veal Meat” shall be derived from calves whose carcasses shall be pale pink, well fleshed, free from bruising and taint, and with a fair amount of fat cover. Any carcasses retained for measles shall be excluded from this grade.