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Innovation & Technology
January 12, 2026

How Small and Medium Abattoirs Can Leverage Innovative Technologies By Daphne Nuys-Hall, Technical Director, Meat & Poultry Ontario The global meat industry is evolving, and small to medium-sized abattoirs are uniquely positioned to benefit from the new wave of technology transforming the sector. While large-scale processors often dominate headlines with high-tech facilities and massive automation budgets, a growing number of affordable, scalable innovations are now within reach for smaller operations. From improving efficiency and hygiene to boosting traceability and sustainability, these technologies offer real-world benefits—without requiring a multi-million-dollar investment. Here’s a look at how small and medium abattoirs around the world are embracing practical innovations to future-proof their businesses. 1. Affordable Automation and Robotics Automation doesn’t have to mean replacing your entire production line with...

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Food Safety & Compliance, Innovation & Technology
January 12, 2026

Why Traceability is the Backbone of a Global Meat Supply By Baljit Kheeva, Food Safety Systems Specialist, Meat & Poultry Ontario In an increasingly globalized food system, Traceability serves as the pillar of food safety and quality assurance. With supply chains spanning domestic and international markets, ensuring the ability to track food products from farm to table is essential—not just for consumer safety, but for maintaining trust, enabling swift recall responses, and meeting regulatory requirements. In Canada, robust traceability systems help businesses and regulatory bodies quickly identify and address food safety risks. Under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR), food businesses—including importers, exporters, processors, distributors, and retailers—must maintain records that allow products to be traced one step forward and one step back...

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Processing Best Practices
January 12, 2026

Dr. Temple Grandin Shares Insights on Animal Welfare and Processing Efficiency By Stacey Newman, Editor of BlockTalk Magazine Dr. Temple Grandin, a globally recognized expert in animal behaviour and livestock handling, recently spoke with the Centre for Meat Innovation and Technology (CMIT), hosted by Meat & Poultry Ontario. Her presentation provided key insights on humane handling, facility design, and industry challenges that impact meat processing.  Key Takeaways  Animal Awareness and Stress Management  Grandin addressed a common question: Do animals know they are going to be slaughtered? Her research suggests that while animals react to immediate stressors, they do not comprehend death. Stress levels in cattle at slaughterhouses are comparable to those recorded during routine vaccinations, depending on the quality of handling. She emphasized that minimizing...

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Food Safety & Compliance
July 9, 2025

Meeting Regulatory Standards By Baljit Kheeva, Food Safety Specialist, Meat & Poultry Ontario Record-keeping is fundamental to ensure compliance with regulatory standards in food processing plants. Regulatory agencies such as the OMAFA (Ontario Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Agri-Business), CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) and global bodies like ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) require meat processing facilities to maintain comprehensive documentation. This documentation encompasses policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), hazard analysis, training logs, and corrective actions.  Below are the key aspects of record-keeping which would keep the facilities audit ready year around, meeting all the regulatory standards:   Compliance with Food Safety Regulations  Meat Processing plants must adhere to provincial or federal regulations. These standards mandate detailed documentation of...

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Food Safety & Compliance
July 9, 2025

Traceability Requirements in the Ontario Meat Industry By Daphne Nuys-Hall, Technical Director, Meat & Poultry Ontario Traceability is a fundamental component of food safety. In the event of a foodborne illness outbreak or contamination, the ability to trace products back to their source allows for swift identification and removal of affected products from the market. This protects consumers and minimizes the impact on public health. The traceability requirements for meat plants are outlined in the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) and are enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). These requirements apply to a wide range of businesses within the meat industry, including slaughterhouses, processing facilities, and retail establishments, whether they are federally, provincially or municipally inspected.  Food Traceability is divided into...

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Food Safety & Compliance
July 9, 2025

How to leverage science and technology to reduce risk, improve traceability and protect public health. By Stacey Newman, Editor, BLOCKTALK Magazine In the highly regulated world of meat processing, ensuring food safety is paramount. As meat processors and butchers in Ontario strive to uphold the highest standards, staying abreast of the latest scientific advancements is crucial.  Ontario’s meat industry is important to the province's economy, contributing significantly to both local and national food supplies. According to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), the province is home to over 400 federally and provincially licensed meat processing facilities, which collectively process millions of tonnes of meat annually. Ensuring the safety of this vast supply chain is a complex task that requires...

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Food Safety & Compliance
June 26, 2025

Best Practices for Provincially Licensed Meat Plants in Ontario By Daphne Nuys-Hall, Technical Director, Meat & Poultry Ontario Salmonella is a significant concern in the meat processing industry due to its potential to cause severe foodborne illnesses. In Ontario, provincially licensed meat plants must adhere to stringent regulations and implement effective control measures to ensure the safety of their products. Following are the best practices for controlling Salmonella in meat products, focusing on the requirements and guidelines set by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agri-Business (OMAFA). Understanding Salmonella Salmonella is a type of bacteria commonly found in the intestines of animals and humans. It can contaminate meat during slaughter and processing, leading to foodborne illnesses if consumed. Symptoms of Salmonella infection include...

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Food Safety & Compliance
June 26, 2025

The business benefits of implementing HACCP in provincially licensed meat plants in Ontario By Daphne Nuys-Hall, Technical Director, Meat & Poultry Ontario In the fast-paced world of meat processing, where precision and efficiency are vital, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changer. From improving production lines to ensuring food safety and quality, AI technologies are revolutionizing the meat processing industry in ways never imagined before.Traditionally, meat processing relied heavily on manual labour and human oversight, leaving room for errors and inefficiencies. With the advent of AI, these challenges are being addressed with solutions that enhance productivity and quality across the entire production chain.One of the key areas where AI is making a significant impact is quality control. Ensuring...

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Innovation & Technology
June 26, 2025

Revolutionizing Efficiency and Quality By Daphne Nuys-Hall, Technical Director, Meat & Poultry Ontario In the fast-paced world of meat processing, where precision and efficiency are vital, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changer. From improving production lines to ensuring food safety and quality, AI technologies are revolutionizing the meat processing industry in ways never imagined before.Traditionally, meat processing relied heavily on manual labour and human oversight, leaving room for errors and inefficiencies. With the advent of AI, these challenges are being addressed with solutions that enhance productivity and quality across the entire production chain.One of the key areas where AI is making a significant impact is quality control. Ensuring the consistency and safety of meat products is critical...

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