Pig carcass grading in Italy: four methods with new formulas separately for 70–110 kg and 110.1–180 kg carcasses — HGP 7, FOM II, CSB-Image-Meater and the manual ZP method (also the Zoometer scanner with a smartphone); FOM I and AutoFom III withdrawn
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/122, published on 24 January 2025 and applicable from 1 February 2025, authorises four methods for assessing the lean meat content of pig carcasses in Italy and repeals Decision 2014/38/EU, which had authorised six methods. At Italy’s request Fat-O-Meater I and AutoFom III were withdrawn, and updated formulas were approved for HGP 7, FOM II, CSB-Image-Meater and the manual ZP method on the basis of dissection trials described in the protocol under Article 11(3) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1182.
- Probe instruments: HGP 7 — 5.95 mm probe (6.3 mm blade) with a Siemens LYU 260-EO photodiode and a 58 MR photodetector, measuring range 0–120 mm; FOM II — 3.5 MHz ultrasound transducers and a 6 mm probe with a Siemens SFH 950/960 photodiode, range 3–125 mm. Both measure backfat thickness including rind (X1) and longissimus dorsi thickness (X2) 8 cm off the midline between the third and fourth last ribs. For 70–110 kg carcasses: HGP 7 Ŷ = 69.8930 − 0.7338·X1 + 0.0279·X2, FOM II Ŷ = 70.2193 − 0.7140·X1 + 0.0174·X2; for 110.1–180 kg HGP 7 uses logarithms: Ŷ = 80.136492 − 14.021984·ln(X1) + 3.581997·ln(X2).
- CSB-Image-Meater: cameras film the carcass halves, the software produces 20 measurements, and according to the description three selected ones are converted into lean meat content — although the formula for 70–110 kg carcasses has four variables (Ŷ = 67.4309 + 0.1182·X1 − 0.0450·X2 − 0.5762·X3 − 0.1861·X4, measurements around the gluteus medius) and the one for 110.1–180 kg two (Ŷ = 48.652593 − 0.465268·X1 + 0.169248·X2). Manual ZP method: a ruler or the Zoometer — a device with an Android app that uses a laser rangefinder and the smartphone camera to measure distances, angles and areas on carcass photos; formula for 70–110 kg Ŷ = 58.4789 − 0.5697·X1 + 0.1230·X2.
- According to recital 6, the Zoometer takes the same measurements as the manual calliper, so the regression equation is that of ZP, and the dissection served only to check the device’s accuracy and precision. Carcass presentation: Italy may grade carcasses without removing the diaphragm and leaf fat; hot carcass weight is adjusted by Y = X − X·a %, where a for the diaphragm is 0.26 % (70–110 kg) or 0.29 % (110.1–180 kg) and for leaf fat from 0.99 % (70–80 kg) to 2.96 % (150.1–180 kg). Any change to a method or instrument requires a Commission implementing decision.
- Approval requirements (Annex V to Regulation 2017/1182): a representative sample of at least 120 carcasses, reference dissection of the left half-carcass (total, partial — shoulder, loin, ham and belly plus tenderloin — or computed tomography calibrated against dissection), bias correction on at least 10 carcasses. A method is authorised only if the root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP), calculated by full cross-validation or a test set of at least 60 carcasses, is less than 2.5, outliers included.