How to Collect a Beef Manufacturing Trim Sample Using the Cloth Sampling Method

This guide outlines the correct procedure for collecting a beef manufacturing trim sample using the cloth sampling method from cartons. Follow these steps to ensure sample integrity and compliance with laboratory requirements.

Required Supplies

Before beginning, ensure you have the following items:

• Individually packaged sample cloth
• Sterile 25ml nBPW buffer solution (refrigerated until use)
• Pre-chilled cool box with ice packs or similar
• Alcohol-based sanitizer
• Clean gloves and sleeve protectors (if necessary)

Preparation Steps

1. Hand Hygiene: Thoroughly wash hands and arms.
2. Sanitise Surfaces: Clean the sampling area with alcohol-based sanitiser.
3. Carton Selection: Choose five cartons per OMAR guidelines, ensuring randomisation within the sample lot.
4. Position Cartons: Place all five cartons in a suitable sampling area.

Sampling Procedure

1. Expose Meat: Open the carton liners and ensure meat is visible and accessible without touching non-food contact surfaces.
2. Open Sample Cloth: Tear open the cloth bag using pull tabs without touching the cloth. Tip the cloth onto the meat surface of the first carton.
3. Prepare Sample Bag: Place the opened bag upright in a clean jug or caddy.
4. Sanitise Gloves: Put on clean gloves and sleeve protectors. Sanitise thoroughly and allow to dry.
5. Handle Cloth: Only touch the cloth once the sanitiser has dried. Avoid contact with any other surfaces.
6. Sample Meat:
   • Grasp the cloth firmly with both hands.
   • Vigorously scrub the meat surface in a uniform, downward motion.
   • Work around the carton in a circular motion ensuring to reach into crevices between meat pieces.
   • Avoid touching carton exteriors.
   • Flip the cloth halfway through sampling.
   • Reach into crevices between meat pieces.
   • Sample all five cartons ensuring all parts of the cloth have been used for sampling.
   • Total sampling time: 1.5 to 2 minutes (approx. 20 seconds per carton).

Post-Sampling Steps

1. Return Cloth to Bag: Fold the cloth and place it back into the sample bag without touching the outside.
2. Add Buffer: Open the buffer container hygienically and pour the contents into the bag. Only the buffer should contact the inside.
3. Massage Cloth: Gently massage buffer through the cloth from outside the bag.
4. Seal Bag:
   • Remove excess air.
   • Roll/fold top down three times.
   • Secure with wire tabs to prevent leakage.
5. Label & Document: Label the sample bag with the sample number and complete E-STAR for lab submission.

Storage & Transport

• Store the sample in a chilled environment (e.g., pre-cooled chilli bin or refrigerator).
• Include a temperature blank in the transport container.
• Ensure the sample remains cold and the buffer does not leak.

Important: The laboratory will reject samples that are:

• Not cold enough
• Missing buffer
• Leaking buffer
• Received outside of 30 hours from sampling.

Carton Identification

Ensure sampled cartons are identifiable for verification in case of a positive test result. Use stickers or other clear markers to label them.