The Meat and Dairy Inspection Section (MDIS) of the Food Safety Branch has a legislated responsibility under the Alberta Meat Inspection Act and Regulation to license slaughter and processing operations that do not export outside of Alberta. Under the Meat Inspection Act, licenced On Farm Slaughter Operations (OFSO) are permitted to provide slaughter and processing services to individuals wanting access to local uninspected meat and meat products. The meat from these OFSOs is uninspected and cannot be sold, gifted, or bartered; it is intended for consumption by the owner of the animal (OFSO customer) and their household only.
In April 2024, a project (phase I) was initiated to assess 25 per cent of the current OFSOs with the primary objective to gather information regarding the most common areas where licensees could use support to achieve legislative compliance. This information is being used to inform the development of an evidence-based outreach (risk communication) program as well as policy changes for this new license type. Additionally, MDIS has used individual assessment findings to support OFSOs identified as non-compliant with coming into compliance.
This RFP is for Phase II of the OFSO assessments whereby the remaining 75% of licensed OFSOs will be assessed through the on-site assessment process.
The Food Safety Branch has developed an OFSO Assessment Process Manual to outline the assessment approach and process. An OFSO Assessment Checklist-Report guides the on-site assessment and serves as the report for each individual assessment. Additionally, the OFSO Assessment Summary is provided to each OFSO at the assessment closing meeting. The OFSO Premises Design Guide establishes design requirements for OFSOs with meat processing facilities and is reflected in the OFSO Assessment Checklist-Report.
Assessors will take an educational extension approach when conducting the assessments. Food safety, livestock welfare, other regulatory concerns will be responded to with an education and information sharing approach including providing written educational materials developed by the Food Safety Branch. The assessment process will be used as a tool to educate and inform OFSO licensees about how they can improve their operations.
The Food Safety Branch will perform assessment follow up activities to ensure that food safety, livestock welfare and other regulatory concerns are communicated to each OFSO and to assure that critical non-compliances are addressed in a timely fashion. The contractor and the government will communicate routinely to share information and reports to support follow-up activities related to each assessment.
