Causes, dynamics and financial losses associated with red offal condemnation at a beef abattoir in Namibia

Abstract

There are limited studies on red offal condemnations and their financial implications at high throughput abattoirs in Namibia. Causes of condemnation, temporal distributions and financial losses associated with red offal condemnations at a beef abattoir in Namibia from 2016 to 2018 were determined. A total of 39157 red offal valued at N$6 422 586.00 (US$364 805) were condemned following the slaughter of 251697 cattle. Condemnations were dependent on the year [X 2 (14) = 587.13, p<0.001], month [X 2 (77) = 1898.72, p<0.001] and season [X 2 (7) = 111.12, p<0.001] of study. Overall, 2016 had the most and 2018 the least condemnation of red offal (38.73% and 23.22%, respectively; p<0.05). Most red offal condemnations (13.34%, p<0.001) occurred in June, with livers and lungs as the most condemned organs (54.32% and 29.88%, respectively; p<0.001). The highest condemnations were caused by miscellaneous causes (such as abscesses and hematomas) followed, in descending order, by inflammatory, parasitic and bacterial causes and contaminations (38.3%, 29.4%, 16.6% and 15.8%, respectively, p<0.05). Liver condemnations varied with the year and season under study [X 2 (20) = 1834.02, p<0.001 and X 2 (9) = 1010.43, p<0.001; respectively], as were lung condemnations according to pathological condition [X 2 (12) = 492.43, p<0.001 and X 2 (6) = 45.84, p<0.001; respectively]. The occurrence of hydatidosis in the summer and pneumonia in winter were greater than expected (15.1% and 4.3%; respectively, p<0.05). A substantial loss of revenue to the abattoir due to the condemnation of livers and lungs was determined. Meat inspection served as a control point for hydatidosis.