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K. GOODBURN, Secretary General, Chilled Food Assn./Secretary General, European Chilled Food Federation, Food Safety & Technology Management Consultant, United Kingdom

For over two decades chilled prepared meals has been a rapidly developing market in Europe. Their safety requires the establishment of an effective chill-chain, restriction to short shelf-life and stringent control of hygienic measures and procedures. Since 1982 these have been specified in detailed guidelines, originated in the UK and regularly updated, which have been instrumental in establishing a good safety record for these products.