Essential food safety management points in the supply chain of game meat in South Africa

Abstract

Although the game industry is expanding in all areas, the most essential food safety management points in the supply chain of South African game meat has not yet been described. In order to determine the management points it was necessary to determine the supply chain and then to identify the most essential food safety management points. Information to better understand the supply chain and relevant food safety management aspects was obtained through a desk top study, observation of processes from farm to consumer in the local market as well as during export activities and analysis of questionnaire responses from game farmers, hunters, butcheries and municipalities. The description of essential food safety management points in the supply chain can assist policy-makers; law enforcers and the industry to establish and implement management programmes that will ensure a safe game meat product to the consumer