Food labeling – Meat sector

Traceability and labeling of meat
With the occurrence of cases of "mad cow", "avian flu" etc. which led to the approval of the Community Regulation, it became mandatory to guarantee the "traceability" of animals and the meat that originates from them (from stable to table), with the aim of facilitating the management of any new emergencies. This makes it possible to implement the withdrawal of non-compliant products from the market and to trace the causes of non-compliance by identifying the responsibilities in the individual phases.

It has become mandatory to communicate to consumers, on the label or through signs, the following information:
– country of birth;
– country of breeding;
– country and approval number of the slaughterhouse;
– country and cutting laboratory approval number;
– identification number of the animal or batch.

This requirement forces all operators in the sector, from slaughterhouses to large-scale retail trade, or small structures, to use labels and/or tags suitable for food contact and/or for direct application on freshly slaughtered half-carcasses.

For these uses there are different types of materials:

ADHESIVE LABELS FOR DIRECT APPLICATION ON HALF CARNESS OF FRESHLY SLAUGHTERED MEAT
Fasson AA665 paper is proposed (Greaseproof – S2800 Inc SGP (with Sector adhesive) – Bg 40 White)
It is a white printing paper, machine-coated semi-gloss, treated with chemical agents to create a barrier against oils and greases.
The permanent S2800 adhesive for frozen foods is designed to achieve high adhesion on fresh meat both in ambient conditions and at very low temperatures.
The adhesive is designed for labeling meat carcasses to provide traceability during production and transport. It is also suitable for general applications in the frozen food sector.
It complies with the requirements of FDA 175.105 and BgVV XIV standards for direct contact with moist and fatty foods which, according to community standards 85/572/EEC, have a reduction factor greater than 2.
Usually, completely neutral labels with different sizes (100×100 mm, 95×105 mm, 105×110 mm, 100×150 mm, etc…) or labels with a blue stripe identifying the carcass of cattle aged less than 12 months in which it is not necessary to remove the vertebral column are created using this material.

There are customers who are still skeptical about the use of adhesive labels who instead prefer labels to be punched directly on the half-carcasses.
In these cases you can use the RICHO LCS 105 micron certified THERMAL FILM or the POLYART 140 micron also certified for food contact.
In these materials we supply both simple rectangular faceplates with black notch or labels with hole for use with wire gun. Below are some examples. All made with products suitable for food contact.

For more information or for a dedicated quote on labels and ribbons for any thermal or thermal transfer printer, contact us directly on +39 011 19829980 or send us an email at info@starcode.it with your request.