The Poultry Slaughterhouse (RPHU) Guidelines serve as a national reference to ensure that the poultry slaughtering process is carried out hygienically, in accordance with halal requirements, and meets veterinary standards, resulting in chicken meat that is safe, healthy, intact, and halal (ASUH).
Behind every piece of chicken served at the dining table lies a long process that determines whether the meat is safe, healthy, intact, and halal (ASUH). In Indonesia, where chicken is a primary protein source for millions of families, issues of food safety and animal welfare are gaining increasing attention. This awareness is growing not only among the government and industry stakeholders but also among consumers who are becoming more conscious of the importance of hygienic and properly processed poultry meat. It is within this context that the Poultry Slaughterhouse (RPHU) Guidelines issued by the Directorate of Veterinary Public Health emerge as an essential reference for poultry slaughter management in the field.
These guidelines are more than just a technical manual. They serve as a roadmap toward a standardized, hygienic, environmentally friendly poultry slaughtering system that adheres to the principles of animal welfare and Islamic law. Through these guidelines, the government aims to ensure that every stage of the poultry slaughtering process—from receiving live chickens to delivering products to consumers—follows a framework that guarantees quality and food safety, commonly known as the ASUH concept.
RPHU Guidelines
An RPHU is defined as a specialized facility designed for slaughtering poultry for public consumption. Its design and operations follow veterinary principles and legal provisions, including Law Number 18 of 2009 on Animal Husbandry and Animal Health and Government Regulation Number 95 of 2012 on Veterinary Public Health and Animal Welfare. Equally important, business operators running an RPHU must obtain a Veterinary Control Number (NKV) Certificate as proof that their production processes meet hygiene and sanitation requirements.
Within the poultry food chain system, the RPHU serves as a key point in determining the final product quality. Although chicken meat is rich in protein and highly nutritious, it is also highly perishable and prone to contamination. Without proper handling during slaughtering, the risk of spreading pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella or Campylobacter can increase. For this reason, the RPHU guidelines place hygiene, sanitation, and animal welfare as their core foundation.
The location of the RPHU is the starting point of these standards. The facility must be built in an area that aligns with regional spatial planning and is far from sources of pollution such as landfills, chemical industries, or flood-prone zones. Adequate clean water—at least ten liters per chicken—and a proper wastewater treatment system (WWTP) are mandatory requirements. All these measures aim to prevent cross-contamination and environmental pollution while ensuring that production takes place in a safe and efficient ecosystem.
From a design perspective, an RPHU must have a logical, unidirectional slaughter flow with clear separation between dirty and clean areas. Dirty areas include early processing stages such as unloading poultry, slaughtering, scalding, and feather removal. Meanwhile, clean areas are used for subsequent processes such as carcass washing, chilling, packaging, and storage. This separation is not merely a formality but a fundamental principle in preventing biological contamination. Walls and floors must be made of waterproof, non-corrosive, and easy-to-clean materials. Airflow must be arranged so that air moves from clean to dirty areas, ensuring that contaminated air particles do not spread into the final production rooms.
This article is an excerpt from the “Tata Laksana” section of Poultry Indonesia magazine, October 2025 edition. Read the full article in the October 2025 edition of Poultry Indonesia magazine. For subscriptions or more information, contact: https://wa.me/+6287780120754 or sirkulasipoultry@gmail.com
