These specifications enable companies to produce canned fish and canned meat to internationally recognised standards of quality, and so facilitate trade with partners. They can be used as standards in their own right, or as a basis for companies to negotiate their own quality standards. Applicable to both UK and imported food products, these are written and validated by a CCFRA industrial Working Party which includes representatives from food manufacturers, caterers, importers, distributors, co-operatives and retailers. Using text and tables these are practical guides to quality standards, which are unambiguous and easy to interpret. Where appropriate, illustrations are used to clarify terms and definitions used.

Each specification is written to a standard format covering:

• Scope of the specification
• Product grades and grade tolerances
• Product defects, defect definitions and defect tolerances
• Sensory evaluation including appearance, flavour and texture

Specifications are available for a range of canned fish and meat:

L49/4 Corned Beef (2007)

L50/5 Salmon (2008)

L52/4 Tuna in Oil or Brine - Flakes (2008)

L53/4 Sardines in Oil or Brine (2004)

L54/4 Sardines in Tomato Sauce (2004)

L74/4 Tuna chunks in Oil, Brine or Water (2008)

L75/4 Tuna steak in Oil, Brine or Water (2008)

L77/3 Pilchards in Tomato Sauce (2004)

L95/2 Mackerel Fillets in Tomato Sauce (2004)

L96/2 Mackerel Fillets in Oil or Brine (2004)

L97/2 Pilchards in Brine (2004)