Summary
This regulation encompasses a large variety of topics and types of food; summarized here are just the sections that deal with foods derived from nonhuman animals and the nonhuman animals themselves, namely Division 7. It should be noted that Part 6, Divisions 1-5 also deal with food products derived from nonhuman animals, but those regulations are exclusively in regard to the food products themselves and there is no mention of the nonhuman animals from which those products are derived.
Division 7 opens by declaring a meat product as edible only if the animal from which the product was derived was subjected to an antemortem examination, and the carcass was properly dressed and subject to a post-mortem examination.
Subdivision C outlines the standards for humane treatment of nonhuman animals, such as preventing avoidable death (which explicitly excludes slaughter), prohibiting the use of hitting and of an electric prod (there are exceptions, such as for pigs or cows when there are “no alternatives”), and requiring handlers to alleviate suffering. Sick or aggressive nonhuman animals must be segregated and isolated.
Proper ventilation must be provided, overcrowding prevented, and handling must avoid nonhuman animal suffering. Water must be provided immediately after unloading and food within 24 hours later. When the animal is kept in a crate, the requirement for both water and food is one instance of each within 24 hours. Prior to slaughter, the animal must be rendered unconscious by way of captive bolt, electrical current, or gas intoxication. Bleeding and suspending an animal is prohibited if the animal shows any signs of cognizance (there is an exception for small birds). Exceptions are made in cases of religious slaughter. Carcasses deemed inedible by postmortem examination must be separated and disposed of accordingly. However, the product may be treated instead of being deemed inedible. The Division closes by requiring documentation and importation and exportation standards.