Industry Training Petfood Inspection AM & PM

Asure Quality are holding a ‘Petfood Inspection AM (Ante-Mortem) and PM (Post-Mortem)’ this year, from 12 December to 15 December 2023. These three days will be held at Christchurch – Russley Golf Club and Function Centre, in New Zealand, and include a site assessment post course.

Asure Quality, or ‘Kaitiaki Kai’ (Guardians of Food), are a company that ‘Help Aotearoa uphold a higher standard in food as our partners proudly take their products to the world.’

The course is designed for anyone examining animals prior to slaughter for petfood processing. This course content is highly visual and tailored to the petfood industry, including topics such as legislation, animal welfare, disease processes, and purpose of animal examinations. It also covers these topics regarding post-mortem, including the identifications and dispositions of diseases, defects, and abnormalities.

• The assessment includes three units for the AnteMortem examination stand:

• Demonstrate understanding of antemortem examination of animals used for animal consumption.

• Complete ante-mortem examination of animal used for animal consumption.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the Animal Welfare Act in relation to the meat processing industry.

There are three units for the Post-Mortem examination strand:

• Demonstrate understanding of postmortem examination of meat products used for animal consumption.

• Complete post-mortem examination of animal products used for animal consumption.

• Apply hygiene and food safety requirements to own work area in a primary products food processing operation.

All units are Level 3 unit standard. Trainees can complete AM or PM only. Post-mortem only training is conducted over three days to include aspects of Animal Welfare & Ante-mortem to support decisions made for post-mortem processes. AM units will not be assessed. AsureQuality recommends PM trainees achieve AM units to maintain good operating procedures and support role holder responsibilities with your employer.

The return to site assessment is required for all attendees, which will take place six to eight weeks after the course date, as arranged by assessors.

As for entry requirements, trainees must be employed in petfood operation, proficient in English, and be over the age of 18. The cost for attending is NZD$4366 (+GST) per person.