Gelatine production, the six steps to maximum safety.

Gelatine production is described in detail, from the slaughterhouse where the raw material for gelatine manufacturing is collected, through the processing treatment, to the final product which is ready for pharmaceutical or edible purposes. The influence of the veterinary inspection of the animal, the batch size of the production, the degreasing and acidulation process for bones and the different possibilities of the alkaline treatment of hide splits and ossein followed by the sterilization steps during the final gelatine manufacturing are discussed with regard to the potential destruction of a theoretical BSE infection. The question is raised to what extent further activities of the gelatine industry seem to be necessary.