A decade of sulfite control in Serbian meat industry and the effect of HACCP

Abstract

In total 7,351 meat preparations and fresh processed meat products were analyzed from 555 different Serbian meat producers over a 10 year period, 4½ years before and 5½ years after mandatory HACCP implementation. From the obtained results, it could be concluded that HACCP has contributed to a better alignment of practices with the legal provisions. The share of non-compliant samples dropped from 18.6% before HACCP to 8.3% after its mandatory implementation. Average sulfite concentrations for all categories of meat preparations and fresh processed meat products decreased by 43%, declining from 33.6 mg kg-1 to 19.3 mg kg-1. Typical misuse and frequent abuse of sulfites was independent of a season. Application of HACCP principles in the Serbian meat industry raised awareness about the misuse of sulfites and contributed to a better control, minimizing exposure to sulfites.