Is spinal cord allowed in meat, or specifically, product produced by AMR systems?
FSIS policy gives a clear definition of meat (9 CFR 301.2 and 318.24) that does not include brain, trigeminal ganglia, spinal cord tissue, or dorsal root ganglia, all of which are central nervous system-type tissues. Therefore, product containing spinal cord tissue is not allowed to be called meat. Does the new regulation affect this policy? Yes. The new regulation amends the previous definition of meat to emphasize that in addition to spinal cord, brain, trigeminal ganglia, and dorsal root ganglia tissue are not permitted in meat. Will FSIS test product produced by AMR systems for spinal cord tissue and dorsal root ganglia? Yes. In March 2003, FSIS began a routine regulatory sampling program to ensure that plants using AMR systems are preventing spinal cord from entering the food supply in products labeled as meat. The sampling program will be expanded to also test for the presence of dorsal root ganglia, and will include meat from beef and pork. Currently, there is no lamb prepared u
