News

Correction over references in last week’s story about slow progress in DEXA carcase yield analysis

Jon Condon, 31/07/2018

IN a Beef Central article published last week discussing delays in progress in DEXA carcase yield assessment trials at Teys Lakes Creek meatworks, it was suggested that protective lead sheeting installed in a separate Victorian meat plant had caused structural problems at the facility.

The exact passage in the article said: “One such DEXA installation in Victoria is said to have required tonnes of lead sheeting, which caused subsidence in the plant’s cement floor due to its sheer weight.”

At the request of MLA’s Richard Norton, Beef Central has made further inquiries via processor JBS Australia, and is now satisfied that no such cement floor subsidence occurred at the company’s Brooklyn plant.

The original comment came from an interview with a credible processing industry source, but Beef Central is now satisfied that it was incorrect, being based on hearsay and industry ‘talk’ rather than first-hand knowledge.

The comment was included in last week’s original article to add context, illustrating that among its challenges, the use of DEXA technology requires the installation of lead sheeting to protect personnel from radiation.

The reference was in no way intended to appear ‘anti-DEXA’ or ‘anti-technology’, but if any readers perceived it this way, we sincerely apologise.

When new information suggests something we previously published is incorrect, Beef Central is, and always has been, happy to correct the facts.

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Comments

  1. John Gunthorpe, 31/07/2018

    Thanks for the clarification. Just to be sure, was there 30 tonnes of lead sheeting constructed at Brooklyn and was this to protect workers from X Ray exposure?

    We’re told all DEXA installations in abattoirs require lead-lining to protect from exposure, John. We’re also told the lead sheeting chamber is then encased in a second, food-safe ‘skin’, for food safety reasons. There is absolutely no issue about food safety or lead contamination, we are told. We have not been able to ascertain how much lead was used at Brooklyn. Editor.

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