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From feed to food
Pork
The contemporary Dutch pig chain consists of a number of links that work closely together to supply a high-quality pork product.
The piglets are born on breeding farms from where they are brought to pig fattening farms where they are reared. Trade and transport are very important links to enable responsible transportation of the animals. High-quality meat requires healthy pigs and they will be the source of the meat that customers demand.
Stunning in line with animal welfare considerations
After a rest period at the slaughterhouse, the animals are calmly led to the stunning line, with all due care for their welfare.
The animals are stunned before they are killed. The blood is collected and supplied to the pharmaceutical industry. The carcases are processed further and the meat is cut to size for the various customers. This is governed by strict hygienic and other standards. Food safety is an important element at all VION branches.
Inspection assistants and veterinary surgeons from the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (VWA) check all carcases, organs and the meat at the slaughterhouse. Random samples are taken, which are checked for antibiotics and other undesirable or banned substances.
Independent employees of the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (VWA) monitor the process, but VION also has its own employees that supervise compliance with the strict production requirements.
The process is fast and efficient. The general rule for pork is: slaughtered today - in the shops the day after tomorrow.
The PVE-movie (Productschappen Vee, Vlees en Eieren) 'Gecontroleerde kwaliteit (Checked quality) shows an excellent overview of the secured pork production.
Cattle
The stunning procedure for livestock is greatly geared towards animal welfare. After arriving, the animals rest in the shed. There is supervision of vetinarians. With respect for the animals, we lead them to the point of stunning.
Inspection: meat quality and the use of antibiotics
The production of beef at VION Tilburg is computerised to a significant extent, helping the skilled production staff to supply top-quality products every day.
Inspection assistants and veterinary surgeons from the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (VWA) check all carcases, organs and the meat at the slaughterhouse. Random samples are taken, which are checked for antibiotics and other undesirable or banned substances.
The meat is cut to size and vacuum-packed to customer requirements.
VION supplies beef in all price/quality ratios as the market demands a wide range of beef qualities, differing in tenderness, succulence and taste. Differences in beef quality are due to differences in age, breed, sex, feed and maturity. Beef qualities range from an excellent basic quality to luxury beef of the finest quality.
© VION Food Group 2013