Salmonellae in meat and poultry, poultry plant cooling waters and effluents, and animal feedingstuffs.

Abstract

SummaryAlthough a low incidence of salmonellae had been found in 735 broiler chicks in 1961, none were found in 803 carcasses from 4 processing plants in 1966. Small numbers, mainly S. typhimurium, were found in the drains of 2 of these plants when swabs were left for several days. No isolations were made from the waters used to cool broilers or turkeys, or from 84 turkey carcasses. However, 39 of 444 (9%) of duck carcasses harboured S. typhimurium, and 9 of 22 (41%) of duck cooling waters were positive. Two isolations of S. typhimurium were made from 38 samples of pork sausages, and one of S. dublin from 125 samples of frozen boned‐out beef. Three of 29 samples of cooked poultry meat were positive for S. typhimurium. In animal feedingstuffs 8 of 112 (7%) of samples of meat and bone meal had 7 different serotypes present, and salmonellae were also found in feather meal, blood meal and pig compound meal. S. typhimurium phage type 23 has been isolated from ducks, poultry meat, pork sausages and meat and bone meal, suggesting a chain of infection. The significance of the isolations of salmonellae from the various sources is discussed, and some methods of control suggested.