Words used in the regulations in this part in the singular form will import the plural, and vice versa, as the case may demand. As used throughout the regulations in this part, unless the context requires otherwise, the following terms will be construed to mean:

European Community. The European Community (EC) consists of the initial 12 European countries and the updated and expanded membership of nations. The original EC members are Belgium, Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

Horsemeat. That U.S. inspected and passed clean, wholesome muscle tissue of horses, which is skeletal or which is found in the tongue, in the diaphragm, in the heart, or in the esophagus, with or without the accompanying and overlying fat and the portions of sinews, nerves, and blood vessels, which normally accompany the muscle tissue and which are not separated from it in the process of dressing.

Trichinae. Round worms or nematodes of the genus Trichinella, which live as parasites in man, horses, rats, and other animals.

Trichinella spiralis. A small parasitic nematode worm which lives in the flesh of various animals, including the horse. When such infected meat is inadequately cooked and eaten by man, the live worm multiplies within the body and the larvae burrow their way into the muscles, causing a disease referred to as trichinosis.