ANIMAL CASINGS GRADING AND MARKING RULES
1. Short title and application. –
(1) These Rules may be called the Animal Casing Grading and Marking Rules, 1964
(2) They shall apply to casings obtained from cattle, sheep, goats and pigs and produced in India.
2. Definitions.- In these rules unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) “Black node” means black knot usually caused by the residue of the ingesta or slime left behind in the casing;
(b) “calibration” means,
(i) in the case of wet-salted casings, measurement of the diameter of the casing;
(ii) in the case of dried casings, flat measure (half circumference);
(iii) in the case of dry-ready to-wet casings of sheep and goats, measurement of the diameter of the casings after their treatment with
water for at least fifteen minutes.
Explanation.-For the purposes of this clause the diameter shall be found out by inflating the casing with air or water and measuring
the diameter by means of suitable calibration frames after properly stretching out the casing all and taking the mean of several
readings.
(c) “cattle” includes bull, cow, ox, heifer, calf, steer, bullock and buffalo;
(d) “cattle casing” means,
(i) Fat end (the terminal ed of the larger intestine measuring about 1.5 metres in length from the anus),
(ii) Middle (remaining part of the large intestine),
(iii) Bung (caecal part of the intestine),
(iv) Runner (small intestine),
(v) Bladder, and
(vi) Weasand (gullet or oesophagus);
(e) “cicatrix’ means any scar of healed-up wound;
(f) “domestic” means any small grease spot in the casing;
(g) “kink” means any twisted loop in the casing;
(h) “nodule” means a small rounded structure;
(i) “rust” means black spots caused by putrifaction due to bacterial or fungal action;
(j) “salt burn” means areas of discolouration generally caused by-
(i) the entry of air into air-tight tin containers in which the casings are packed; and
(ii) the use of poor quality salt;
(k) “Schedule” means a Schedule to these rules.
3. Description of rings and hanks.- (1) Casing may consist of bundles of rings or hanks.
(2) (a) In the case of rings of Sheep and Goat Casings, a ring shall contain not more than 4 pieces and shall measure at least 21
meters (69 feet) in length, no single piece measuring less than 1.5 metres (5 feet).
(b) In the case of rings of Hog casings, a ring shall contain not more than 4 pieces and shall measure at least 9 metres (29 feet), no
single piece measuring less than one metre.
(c) In the case of dry-ready to wet casings of sheep and goats, hanks, rings or cocoons may be made up of several pieces joined
together with adhesive and other materials which have been duly approved (before hand) by the Agricultural Marketing
Adviser to the Government of India; each single piece shall measure not less than 1.5 metres (5 feet).
(3) (a) In case of Hanks of Sheep and Goat Casings, a hank shall consist of not more than 18 pieces and shall measure not less than 92
metres (302 feet) in length;
(b) in the case of Hanks of Cattle Casings, a hank shall measure in length as follows :
Dried Runners : 180 metres (590 feet);
Dried middles : 90 metres (295 feet) or in packets of 25 metres;
Salted Runners : 30 metres (98 feet);
Salted Middles : 18 metres (59 feet).
Note: No single piece shall measure less than one metre.
4. Grade designations. - The grade designations to indicate the quality of casings shall be as set out in column 1 of Schedules I to
IV.
5. Characteristics of the various grade designation.- The special and general characteristics of the various grade designations
shall be as set out against each designation in columns 2 and 3 of the Schedules I to IV.
6. Grade designation marks.- The grade designation marks shall consist of a label bearing the design set out in Schedule V
specifying the grade designation.
1
7. Method of grading.- Grading of casings shall be done only at the authorised premises and according to the instructions issued
from time to time by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser to the Government of India.
8. Inspection. The Grade designation and other particulars of the casings shall be marked by the Inspecting Officer after the
inspection is carried out by him.
9. Certificate of grading. – A certificate of Grading will be issued by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser to the Government of
India, or by an officer authorised by him in this behalf, on a written request from the party.
10. Method of packing.- Casings shall be packed either in hanks, or as the case may be, in rings at the authorised premises and
strictly in accordance with the instructions issued in this regard from time to time by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser to the
Government of India.
11. Method of marking.- (1) A grade designation mark label shall be securely affixed to each package in a manner approved by
the Agricultural Marketing Adviser to the Government of India.
(2) In addition to the grade designation, the following particulars shall be clearly indicated on the label, namely:-
1. Serial number,
2. Type,
3. Grade,
4. Calibration,
5. Number of hanks,
6. Date of packing,
7. Signature of the Inspecting Officer.
Provided that an authorised packer may stamp or write his private trade mark on the package, if such private trade marks represent the
same type and grade of casings as that indicated by the Agmark label and are duly approved by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser to
the Government of India beforehand
12. Special conditions of authorisation.- (1) Casing of one type only shall be packed in one lot.
(2) In addition to the conditions specified in rule 4 of the General Grading and Marking Rules, 1937, every certificate of authorisation
issued for the purpose of these rules shall be governed by the following conditions :-
(a) the premises of authorised packers of casings shall be clean, tidy and in good sanitary conditions and shall provide adequate
space and facilities for cleaning, processing, grading and packing of casings, official inspection and labeling of the inspected
packages of casings.;
(b) no establishment shall employ in any department where casings are handled or prepared any person affected with tuber-
culosis or other communicable diseases in a transmissible stage;
(c) all instructions regarding sanitation in the premises, cleanliness of personnel and equipment, operational procedure, method
of sampling, testing, packing, marking and inspection of casings at all stages and maintenance of records thereof, issued by
the Agricultural Marketing Adviser to the Government of India from time to time, shall be observed strictly by all concerned.
2
SCHEDULE I
(See Rules 4 and 5)
Grade designations and definitions of quality of dried cattle casings known commercially as “Beef casings” and produced in India
Grade Calibration Special characteristics General characteristics
designation
1 2 3 4
PQ By flat measure- The casings shall : The casings shall :
“(i) in steps of 5mm e.g. 35mm and below, (i) be of uniform natural co lour, (a) (i) be obtained from healthy animals
above 35mm to 40 mm, above 40 mm to lustrous throughout, without any slaughtered in licensed premises
45 mm and so on upto 65mm and above spot or mark and shall be free and subjected to ante mortem and
65mm” or from discoloration.
(ii) in steps of 2 mm e.g. 35 mm and below, (ii) be in-tact, free from any tear or postmortem inspections according
above 35mm to 37 mm, above 37mm to laceration. to the prescribed procedure.
39 mm. and so on up to 65mm and above (iii) be perfectly rolled. (ii) be prepared under hygienic
65 mm”; (iv) be free from salt burns, rust, conditions, wholesome, and
domestics, black nodes, slime, mucus, otherwise fit for human
dung, moulds or fungus in festation. consumption.
or
(iii) as agreed to between (v) be free from defects like holes, (iii) be free from parasitic infestation
the purchaser and the exporter. blisters, lacerations, nodules and and from scars of healed up
cicatrices. wounds.
(iv) not have been subjected to any
bacterial activation or fermentation
Grade I Do. (i) As per PQ. except that a slight (b) “Preservatives other than
deviation in co lour and folds and edible substance approved by the
a few black nodes shall be Agricultural marketing adviser to the
permitted; Government of India shall not have
been used”.
(ii) total fat streaks shall not exceed
40 per meter;
(iii) the middle of the seam shall be
free from fat streaks; and
(iv) a streak of fat shall not exceed 3
cm. in length and I cm. in breadth.
Grade II Do. Casings not conforming to PQ. or
Grade I due to defects in rolling and or
having larger black nodes, rough texture
or streaks of fat not exceeding 60 in a meter.
Grade III Do Short pieces of any or all the above
grades and/or having fat streaks in
excess of 60 in a meters.
Bladder .. Bladder, otherwise conforming to
characteristics of PQ.
Weasands .. We sands, otherwise conforming to
characteristics of PQ.
Bungs .. Bungs, otherwise conforming to
characteristics of PQ.
Fat ends .. Fat ends, otherwise conforming to
characteristics of PQ.
Grade Not As agreed to between the As agreed to between the
Specified* purchaser and the exporter. purchaser and the exporter.
* Grade will be applicable under the following conditions :-
That the consignment is meant for export against a firm order from foreign importers. The phrase “firm order” shall mean either that
the whole of the purchase money is to be paid in cash before-hand or
Letter of credit irrevocable or delivery of documents against payment (DP) or cash payment against documents (CAD) or documents
against acceptance DA)
3
SCHEDULE-II
(See Rules 4 and 5)
Grade designations and definition of quality of salted cattle casings known commercially as “Beef Casings”
and produced in India
Grade Calibration Special characteristics General characteristics
designation
1 2 3 4
PQ By diameter ; The casings : (a) The casings shall,
“(i) in steps of 2 mm e.g. up to 28 mm above (i) shall be of uniform natural co lour (i) be obtained from healthy animals
28 mm to 30 mm and so on up to 40 mm lustrous throughout without any slaughtered in licensed premises
and above 40 mm”; spot or mark and shall be free and subjected to ante mortem
from discoloration. and postmortem inspections
according to the prescribed
procedures.
or (ii) wall shall be intact, free from any
(ii) as agreed to between tear or laceration. (ii) be prepared under hygienic condi-
the purchaser and tions, wholesome, and otherwise
exporter. (iii) shall be perfectly rolled. fit for human consumption.
(iv) on being inflated with air, rolled
round the finger and pressed, shall (iii) be free from parasitic infestation
burst with a sharp sound. and from scars of healed up wounds.
(v) shall be free from salt burns, rust,
domestics, black nodes, slime, (iv) not have been subjected to any
mucus, dung, moulds, or fungus bacterial activation or fermentation.
infestations.
(vi) shall be free from defects like (v) Preservatives other than edible
holes, blisters, lacerations, no common salt shall not have been
duels an cicatrices. used.
Bladder .. (i) The wall shall be of uniform
natural co lour, lustrous throughout
without any spot or mark and
shall be free from discoloration.
(ii) The material shall also be free
from any tear or laceration.
(iii) The material shall also be free
from salt burns, rust, domestic,
black nodes, slime, mucus, dung,
moulds or fungus infestation
(iv) free from defects like holes,
blisters, nodules and cicatrices.
Weasands .. Weasands, otherwise conforming to
“Bladder”.
Bungs .. Bungs, otherwise conforming to “Bladder”
Fat ends .. Fat ends, otherwise conforming to
“Bladder”.
4
SCHEDULE III
(See Rules 4 and 5)
Grade designation and definition of quality of salted sheep casings (including goat casings) known commercially
as “Sheep Casings” and produced in India
Grade Calibration Special characteristics General Characteristics.
designation
1 2 3 4
PQ or (1) 12 to 26 mm. in steps of 2 mm., e.g., (a) The casings shall : (a) The Casings shall :
Grade I up to 12mm., above 12 mm to 14 mm., (i) be of natural color throughout (i) be obtained from healthy
above 14 mm. to 16 mm etc. or without any discoloration animals
(ii) be free from defects, like holes, slaughtered in licensed premises
(2) 13 to 27 mm in steps of 2 mm. e.g. blisters, lacerations, nodules and and subjected to ante mortem and
up to 13 mm., above 13 mm. to 15mm, cicatrices. post mortem inspections according
above 15mm. to 17 mm. etc. to the prescribed procedures.
or
(3) as agreed to between the (iii) be-in-tact and not torn or lacerated. (ii) be prepared under hygienic condition
purchaser and the exporter. (iii) be wholesome, and otherwise
fit for human consumption.
(iv) be free from salt-burns, rust, (iv) be free from parasitic infection
domestics, black nodes, slime, and from scars of healed up wounds
mucus, dung and moulds or
fungus infestations.
(v) not burst when filled with air (v) not have been subjected to any
water to its normal capacity and bacterial activation or fermentation.
slightly pressed.
(b ) the rings or hanks shall have
been cured properly with common salt.
Grade II Do. As per Grade PQ except that a slight (b) Preservatives other than edible
deviation shall be allowed common salt shall not have been
in respect of co lour and/or strength used.
and pinholes on wall not exceeding
two in a meter. The material should
be fit for use in preparation of sausages.
Grade III Do. As per Grade II except that nodules
will be permitted in addition.
Grade Not
Specified* Do. As agreed to between the purchaser
and the exporter.
*Grade will be applicable under the following conditions :-
That the consignment is meant for export against a firm order from foreign importers. The phrase “firm order” shall mean either that
whole of the purchase money is be paid in cash before hand or Letter of Credit irrevocable or delivery of documents against payment
(DP) or cash payment against documents (CAD) or documents against acceptance (DA).
5
SCHEDULE III-A
(See Rules 4 and 5)
Grade designation and definition of quality of “dry-ready—to wet” sheep casings (including goat casing) known commercially as
“sheep casings” and produced in India.
Grade Calibration Special characteristics General characteristics
designation
1 2 3 4
PQ or “(1) 12 to 26mm in steps of 2mm e.g., up to The casings shall : The casings shall :
Grade I 12 mm., above 12 mm. to 14 mm., above (i) be free from defects like holes, (i) be obtained from healthy animals
14 mm to 16 mm, etc.” or blisters, lacerations, nodules and slaughtered in licensed premises
cicatrices. and subjected to ante mortem and
(2) 13 to 27 mm in steps of 2mm, e.g. (ii) be intact and not torn or lacerated post mortem inspection according
to the prescribed procedures.
up to 13 mm, above 13 mm to 15 mm, (ii) be prepared under hygienic con
above 15 mm to 17mm. etc.”: ditions as per patented process Nos.
or 90469 (National Research Deve-
(3) as agreed to between (iii) be free from rust, domestics lopment Corporation of India)
the purchaser and the black nodes, slime, mucus, dung (iii) be wholesome and otherwise
exporter. and moulds or fungus infestations. for human consumption.
(iv) not burst when filled with air (iv) be free from parasitic
or water to its normal capacity and infestations and from scars of
slightly pressed. healed up wounds,
(v) not have been subjected to any
bacterial activation or fermentation.
Grade II “(1) 12 to 26 mm in steps of 2mm The casings shall :
e.g.. up to 12mm to 14 mm, above (i) be free from defects like
14mm to 16mm etc. or holes, blisters, lacerations,
nodules, and cicatrices,
(2) 13 to 27mm in steps of 2mm. (ii) be intact and not torn or lacerated,
e.g., up to 13 mm above (iii)be free from rust, domestics
13mm to 15mm, above black nodes, slime, mucus,
15 mm to 17 mm, etc”. dung and moulds or fungus
infestations,
or
(3) as agreed to between (iv) not burst when filled with
the purchaser and air or water to its normal
the exporter. capacity and slightly pressed.
A slight deviation shall be
allowed in respect of the
above items. The material
should be fit for use in
preparation of sausages.
Grade III “(1) 12 to 26 mm in steps of The Casing shall :-
2mm e.g., up to 12 mm, above (i) be free from defects like
12mm to 14mm, above holes, blisters, lacerations,
14mm to 16 mm etc. or nodules and cicatrices,
(2) 13 to 27 mm in steps of 2 (ii) be intact and not torn or
mm e.g., up to 13 mm., above lacerated,
13mm to 15mm, above (iii) be free from rust domestics,
15mm to 17 mm etc.”; black nodes, slime, mucus, dung
or and moulds or fungus infestations,
(3) as agreed to between the (iv) not burst when filled with air
purchaser and the exporter or water to its normal capacity and
slightly pressed.
6
A slight deviation shall be allowed
In respect of the above items. The
material should be fit for use in
preparation of sausages. Nodules
shall be permitted.
Grade (1) 12 to 26 mm in steps of As agreed to between the purchaser
Not specified* 2mm. e.g., up to 12mm. above and the exporter.
12 mm to 14 mm, above 14mm
to 16 mm etc”;
(2)13 to 27 mm in steps of 2mm
e.g., up to 13 mm
above 13 mm to 15mm, above 15
mm 17mm etc”;
or
(3) as agreed to between the
purchaser and the exporter.
Note :
* Grade designation ‘Grade not specified’ shall be applicable under the following conditions, namely :-
That the consignment is meant for export against a firm order from foreign importers. The phrase ‘firm order’ shall mean either that
the whole of the purchase money is paid in cash before hand or Letter of Credit irrevocable or delivery of documents against payment
(DP) or cash payment against documents (CAD) or documents against acceptance (DA).
7
SCHEDULE –IV
(See Rules 4 and 5)
Grade designations and definition of quality of salted hog casings known commercially as “Hog Casings”,
“Pig Casings”, or “Pork Casings” and produced in India
Grade Calibration Special characteristics General characteristics
designation
1 2 3 4
PQ . (1) 26 to 36 mm. in steps of 2mm (a) The Casings shall : (a) The casings shall :
e.g. up to 26 mm. above 26mm. to (i) be of natural co lour throughout (i)be obtained from healthy animals
28mmabove 28mm to 30mm etc. without any discoloration. slaughtered in licensed premises
or (ii) be free from defects like holes and subjected to ante mortem and
(2) as agreed to between blisters, lacerations, nodules and post mortem inspections according
the purchaser and the exporter. cicatrices. to the prescribed procedures.
(iii) be intact and torn or
lacerated (ii) be prepared under hygienic
(iv) be free from salt-burns, conditions, wholesome, and
rust, domestics, black nodes, otherwise fit for human
slime, mucus, dung and consumption.
moulds or fungus infestations. (iii) be free from parasitic
infestation and from scars of
healed up wounds.
(v) not burst when filled with (iv) not be subjected to any
air or water to its normal bacterial activation or fermentation
capacity and slightly pressed. (b) preservatives other than
(b) The rings or hanks shall edible common salt shall not
have been cured properly have been used.
with common salt.
SCHEDULE V
(See Rules 6)
Grade designation mark to be applied to Animal Casings
The grade designation mark to be applied to packages of animal casings shall contain the following design :-
Serial No…………………………………………………………………….. TYPE…………………………………………………….
GRADE ………………………………………………….
CALIBRATION ………………………………………….
NUMBER OF HANKS ………………………………….
DATE OF PACKING ….……………………………….
Serial No………………..……………………………….
(Signature of Inspecting Officer)
Note: i) Principal rules were published in the Gazette of India, vide S.O. 3401 dated 26.9.64.
ii) First amendment was published in the Gazette of India vide S.O. 2460 dated 02.8. 1975
iii) second amendment was published in the Gazette of India, part II, section 3, sub-section (i)
dated 8.3.97 vide GSR142 dated 11.2.1997.
8
