Quantitative estimation of Campylobacter cross-contamination in carcasses and chicken products at an abattoir

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate Campylobacter contamination in carcasses and chicken products derived from a Campylobacter-negative flock when the flock is slaughtered immediately after a Campylobacter-positive flock. The first 2 flocks slaughtered on 10 different dates were investigated at an abattoir. Eighteen of the 20 flocks tested were positive for Campylobacter. A Campylobacter-negative flock was slaughtered immediately after a Campylobacter-positive flock on only 1 of the 10 slaughter dates. In this case, Campylobacter was detected in the carcasses and chicken products originating from the Campylobacter-negative flock, and all the flaA genotypes of these isolates were identical to those present in the caecal contents, carcasses, and chicken products from the Campylobacter-positive flock. The Campylobacter concentrations in the products originating from the Campylobacter-negative flock were: close to the enumeration limit (1.7 log10 cfu/carcass) in the carcass samples; and below the enumeration limit (2.0 log10 cfu/g) in the liver samples. The mean Campylobacter concentrations in the carcasses and liver products originating from the 18 Campylobacter-positive flocks were 3.8 log10 cfu/carcass and 2.6 log10 cfu/g, respectively. While 91% (246/270) of chicken products originating from Campylobacter-positive flocks were positive for Campylobacter, chicken products originating from the remaining Campylobacter-negative flock were free from Campylobacter cross-contamination by slaughter prior to a Campylobacter-positive flock. These results prove that slaughtering Campylobacter-negative flocks does not introduce Campylobacter into the abattoirs and indicate that although carcasses and chicken products originating from the Campylobacter-negative flock were cross-contaminated with Campylobacter from the Campylobacter-positive flock slaughtered immediately before, the Campylobacter contamination levels were lower than those in carcasses and chicken products from Campylobacter-positive flocks. Based on these findings, the reduction of Campylobacter prevalence in broiler flocks should be taken as an effective control measure for preventing introduction of Campylobacter into abattoirs and consequently for reducing Campylobacter prevalence in chicken products in addition to the good hygienic practice at abattoirs and logistic slaughter.