Checks of water absorbed and total water content in poultrymeat cuts
Article 8
1. The method of analysis referred to in Article 14(2) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/343 is laid down in Annex II to this Regulation (‘chemical method’). 2. The competent authorities designated by each Member State shall ensure that the slaughterhouses and cutting plants, whether or not attached to slaughterhouses, adopt all measures necessary to comply with the provisions of Article 14 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/343 and in particular that: (a) except for air chilling of turkey carcases, regular checks on water absorbed are carried out in the slaughterhouses in accordance with Article 6(1) also for chicken and turkey carcases intended for the production of the fresh, frozen and quick-frozen cuts listed in Article 14(2) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/343; (b) results of the checks are recorded and kept for a period of one year; (c) each batch is marked with its date of production; the date of production of each batch shall be part of the production record. 3. Checks on the water content referred to in paragraph 1 shall be carried out, with appropriate frequencies determined on a risk basis and by sampling, on frozen and quick-frozen poultry cuts from each cutting plant producing such cuts, in accordance with Annex II. These checks may not be conducted for poultry cuts in respect of which proof is provided to the competent authority that they are intended exclusively for export. 4. Article 6(2) to (5) and Article 7 shall apply, mutatis mutandis , for poultry cuts referred to in Article 14(2) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/343.