Prechill Carcasses Research Articles

Performance Metrics for Slaughter and Dressing Hygiene at Australian Beef Export Establishments

A study was undertaken to examine hygienic control of the slaughter and dressing process for beef cattle at Australian export processing establishments. Samples were collected from two points during the process: immediately after hide removal and at the completion of dressing before the commencement of chilling. Hindquarter and forequarter samples were collected from 24 establishments, half of which (n = 12) used some form of microbial intervention (in addition to trimming). The overall contamination level on carcass sides was low and was reduced between hide removal and entering the chiller. The concentration and prevalence of indicator bacteria were higher on samples from hindquarters than on samples from forequarters. Application of an intervention, such as hot water, in addition to trimming resulted in a greater reduction in the concentration and prevalence of indicator bacteria than trimming alone, although the level of Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria on all samples was too low to allow meaningful comparisons to be made. Salmonellae were isolated from 2.09 and 0.56% of samples after hide removal and before chilling, respectively. Application of an intervention in addition to trimming did not result in a significant reduction (P = 0.4) of Salmonella prevalence on prechill carcasses. Low levels of bacteria were found on carcasses after hide removal. This, combined with small reductions as a result of trimming and sometimes other interventions, resulted in carcasses with very low levels of bacterial contamination. If performance metrics were to be applied to the slaughter and dressing process, a measure of the expected contamination at the end of the process would provide a more unequivocal measure of the process than either contamination on the carcass after hide removal or any reduction achieved as a result of the dressing process.

Presence of Bacterial Pathogens and Levels of Indicator Bacteria Associated with Duck Carcasses in a Commercial Processing Facility

Little information has been published on the microbiological aspects of U.S. commercial duck processing. The objective of this study was to measure prevalence and/or levels of bacteria in duck samples representing the live bird and partially or fully processed oven-ready duck meat. At 12 monthly sampling times, samples were collected at six sites along the processing line in a commercial duck slaughter plant. Crop and cecum samples were collected at the point of evisceration. Whole carcass rinse samples were collected before and after carcass immersion chilling plus application of an antimicrobial spray. Leg quarters were collected from the cut-up line before and after application of an antimicrobial dip treatment. All samples (five from each site per monthly replication) were directly plated and/or enriched for Salmonella and Campylobacter. For the last 10 replications, carcass and leg quarter rinse samples were also evaluated for enumeration of total aerobic bacteria, Escherichia coli, and coliforms. Most cecum, crop, and prechill carcass rinse samples were positive for Campylobacter (80, 72, and 67%, respectively). Carcass chilling and chlorinated spray significantly lowered Campylobacter prevalence (P < 0.01), and even fewer leg quarters were positive for Campylobacter (P < 0.01). Passage through a chlorinated dip did not further reduce Campylobacter prevalence on leg quarters. Salmonella was infrequently found in any of the samples examined (≤10%). Total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and E. coli levels were reduced (P < 0.01) on whole carcasses by chilling but were not different after cut-up or leg quarter dip treatment. Overall, current commercial duck processing techniques as applied in the tested plant were effective for reducing the prevalence and levels of Campylobacter on duck meat products.

Enumeration, Antimicrobial Resistance and Typing of Salmonella enterica: Profile of Strains Carried in the Intestinal Contents of Pigs at Slaughter in Southern Brazil

Background: Despite a strong association between Salmonella isolation and slaughter hygiene, as measured by the Enterobacteriaceae levels on pre-chill carcass surfaces, a high variation in this association was observed between sampling days within the same slaughterhouse. It was hypothesised that in a scenario of high exposure on the farm, batches with a high prevalence of carrier pigs shedding a high number of Salmonella may enhance the risk of contamination on some slaughter days. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the profile of Salmonella carried in the intestinal contents of slaughter pigs.Materials, Methods &amp; Results: Ten pig batches slaughtered in a slaughterhouse were investigated for the presence of Salmonella. From each pig, the following samples were taken: i. blood collected at bleeding; ii. sponges rubbed on the carcass surface after bleeding and before chilling; iii. fragment of the ileocecal region of the intestine. Serum samples were subjected to a ELISA-Typhimurium test. Sponges were investigated for the presence of Salmonella and total aerobic mesophilic (TAM) and Enterobacteriaceae (EC) bacterial counts. Salmonella was enumerated in the intestinal contents. Selected Salmonella strains were subjected to an antimicrobial resistance disk diffusion test, macro-restriction with Xba-I (PFGE) and whole genome sequencing (WGS). From the 50 sampled pigs, 96% were positive in the ELISA-Typhimurium test and 64% were Salmonella-positive in the intestinal contents. The amount of Salmonella in the intestinal content samples was highly variable, and the mean log of fitted distributions of Salmonella in the batch ranged from -2.97 to 2.25 cfu.g-1. The slaughter process achieved a logarithmic reduction, ranging from 0.64 to 2.35 log cfu.cm-2 for TAM and from 0.55 to 2.57 log cfu.cm-2 for EC. Salmonella was isolated from 16% of the carcasses after bleeding; this frequency decreased to 8% at the pre-chill step. All positive pre-chill carcasses originated from pigs carrying Salmonella in the intestinal content and from batches with a high number of carrier pigs. Salmonella Typhimurium and its monophasic variant were the most frequent in the intestinal contents and carcasses. Resistance was detected against ampicillin (42.5%), tetracycline (42.5%), sulfonamide (40%), gentamicin (25%) and ciprofloxacin (12.5%). Regarding colistin, 85% of the tested strains were classified as non-susceptible. The monophasic variant S. Typhimurium strains subjected to PFGE and WGS presented different profiles; several antimicrobial resistance genes were identified and all belonged to ST-19.Discussion: In this study, almost all sampled pigs entering the slaughter line had been exposed to Salmonella on the farm and a high number were carrying Salmonella in their guts. While the three batches with Salmonella-positive carcasses at the pre-chill step presented TAM media that was not significantly different from the other batches, there was a higher number of positive pigs carrying Salmonella in their intestinal contents. Moreover, the batch with the highest number of positive carcasses also presented the highest Salmonella mean count in their intestinal contents. The profile of Salmonella carried in the intestinal content of slaughter pigs proved to be highly variable in terms of the frequency, number of bacteria, serovars, antimicrobial resistance, and genotypes. Results indicate that the day-to-day variability in the prevalence and number of Salmonella in the intestinal contents of slaughter batches is likely to influence the frequency of contaminated pre-chill carcasses. Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from the intestinal contents of slaughter pigs may belong to genotypes involved in human disease and may carry several antimicrobial resistance genes. These aspects should be taken into account when planning Salmonella control in swine.

Individual based modeling and analysis of pathogen levels in poultry chilling process

Pathogen control during poultry processing critically depends on more enhanced insight into contamination dynamics. In this study we build an individual based model (IBM) of the chilling process. Quantifying the relationships between typical Canadian processing specifications, water chemistry dynamics and pathogen levels both in the chiller water and on individual carcasses, the IBM is shown to provide a useful tool for risk management as it can inform risk assessment models. We apply the IBM to Campylobacter spp. contamination on broiler carcasses, illustrating how free chlorine (FC) sanitization, organic load in the water, and pre-chill carcass pathogen levels affect pathogen levels of post-chill broilers. In particular, given a uniform distribution of Campylobacter levels on incoming poultry we quantify the efficacy of FC control in not only reducing pathogen levels on average, but also the variation of pathogen levels on poultry exiting the chill tank. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the absence/presence of FC input dramatically influences when, during a continuous chilling operation, cross-contamination will be more likely.

Validation of Antimicrobial Interventions for Reducing E. Coli Population (Surrogate for Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli; Stec) during Goat Slaughter and Carcass Chilling

ObjectivesPopulation growth of ethnic cultures that readily consume goat meat has led to an increase in demand and consumption in the United States. Although foodborne disease outbreaks associated with meat from small ruminants have been limited, small ruminant animals such as goats are known reservoirs for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). As goat meat demand increases, it is critical to ensure pathogen reduction strategies for STEC are effective during the slaughter and chilling processes. The objectives of this research were to evaluate 4.5% lactic acid (LA), 400 ppm peroxyacetic acid (PAA), Citrilow (a proprietary blend of hydrochloric and citric acid; CL; pH 1.2), 5% levulinic acid plus 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate (LVA+SDS), and a non-treated control (CON) for their ability to reduce STEC surrogates and their effects on carcass color from slaughter through chilling.Materials and MethodsA total of 15 goat carcasses (28 ± 6 kg) across 3 replications were inoculated with a 5-strain cocktail (ca. 8 log CFU/ml) containing rifampicin-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli; BAA-1427, BAA-1428, BAA-1429, BAA-1430, and BAA-1431), surrogates for STEC. The exterior of each carcass was evenly inoculated to achieve 6 log CFU/cm2. After inoculation, the carcasses were held on the slaughter line for 30 min (25°C) for attachment prior to antimicrobial treatment application. Antimicrobial treatments were randomly assigned to each carcass and applied prerigor and 24 h post chill. Each carcass was sampled at 5 different points during processing 1) after inoculation with a 30-min attachment period, 2) after the standard water wash (55°C), 3) 5 min after the pre-chill carcass antimicrobial spray application, 4) post-24 h chilling, and 5) 5 min after the 24 h post-chill carcass antimicrobial spray application. One of 5 anatomical carcass locations was randomly assigned for sample collection on both sides of each carcass at each time point and then combined for analysis. Objective carcass color was measured below the hipbone on a surface that was not sampled for microbial analysis, at 5 different processing points: 1) pre-treatment (immediately prior to application of inoculum), 2) after pre-chill antimicrobial spray treatment, 3) post-1 h chill, 4) post-24 h chill, and 5) after the post-24 h chill antimicrobial spray application. E. coli population (log CFU/cm2) and color values were analyzed using PROC GLM (SAS V.9.4; SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). E. coli population and color values were analyzed for the main effects of antimicrobial treatment, sampling time point, and their interaction. Least squares means were generated and separated using the PDIFF option. Means were considered different at ɑ ≤ 0.05.ResultsMean log reductions (P < 0.05) achieved after prerigor treatment with CL, LA, LVA+SDS, and PAA were 2.27, 2.00, 1.9, and 1.87 log CFU/cm2, respectively. Antimicrobial treatment after the 24 h chilling period resulted in subsequent reductions (P < 0.05) of surrogate E. coli by 1.89, 1.17, 1.03, and 0.47 log CFU/cm2 for CL, LA, PAA, and LVA+SDS, respectively. Antimicrobial treatments did not have a large impact goat carcass objective color.ConclusionThe antimicrobials tested in this study were effective at reducing E. coli populations on goat carcasses during pre- and post-chill applications without compromising carcass color.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Three U.S. Department of Agriculture–Approved Antimicrobial Sprays for Reducing Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli Surrogate Populations on Bob Veal Carcasses

Effective antimicrobial intervention strategies to reduce Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) risks associated with veal are needed. This study evaluated the efficacy of lactic acid (4.5%, pH 2.0), Citrilow (pH 1.2), and Beefxide (2.25%, pH 2.3) for reducing STEC surrogates on prerigor and chilled bob veal carcasses and monitored the effects of these interventions on chilled carcass color. Dehided bob veal carcasses were inoculated with a five-strain cocktail of rifampin-resistant, surrogate E. coli bacteria.E. coli surrogates were enumerated after inoculation, after water wash, after prechill carcass antimicrobial spray application, after chilling for 24 h, and after postchill carcass antimicrobial spray application; carcass color was measured throughout the process. A standard carcass water wash (∼50°C) reduced the STEC surrogate population by 0.9 log CFU/cm(2) (P ≤ 0.05). All three antimicrobial sprays applied to prerigor carcasses delivered an additional ∼0.5-log reduction (P ≤ 0.05) of the surrogates. Chilling of carcasses for 24 h reduced (P ≤ 0.05) the surrogate population by an additional ∼0.4 log cycles. The postchill application of the antimicrobial sprays provided no further reductions. Carcass L*, a*, and b* color values were not different (P > 0.05) among carcass treatments. Generally, the types and concentrations of the antimicrobial sprays evaluated herein did not negatively impact visual or instrumental color of chilled veal carcasses. This study demonstrates that warm water washing, followed by a prechill spray treatment with a low-pH chemical intervention, can effectively reduce STEC risks associated with veal carcasses; this provides processors a validated control point in slaughter operations.

Effect of slaughterhouse and day of sample on the probability of a pig carcass being Salmonella-positive according to the Enterobacteriaceae count in the largest Brazilian pork production region

Sources of contamination of carcasses during slaughter include infected pigs as well as environmentally related sources. There are many microbial indicators that can be used in the processing of food to assess food hygiene and the safety of food processing. The presence of some microbial indicators can be viewed as a result of direct or indirect contamination of a food with fecal material. The presence of Enterobacteriaceae is often used as a hygiene indicator, as they are found both in the environment and in the intestine of warm-blooded animals. An association between Salmonella isolation and Enterobacteriaceae count (EC) on pre-chill carcasses has been described, however the impact of slaughterhouse and the day of sampling on the occurrence of Salmonella has not been previously investigated. To this end, mixed logistic regressions (MLRs) with random effects and fixed slopes were performed to assess the change in EC and its correlation with Salmonella occurrence using two data sets. The first describes the EC and Salmonella isolation in 60 pork carcasses in one slaughterhouse sampled at 11 different slaughter steps, including the carcass as a random effect. The second describes the EC and Salmonella isolation on 1150 pre-chill carcasses sampled in 13 slaughterhouses over 230 sampling days, and the model combined two random intercepts, slaughterhouse and date of sampling nested with slaughterhouse (day/slaughterhouse). Statistically significant associations (p<0.0001) between the log of the EC and Salmonella occurrence were found in all models. Nevertheless, although a strong association was found between Enterobacteriaceae and Salmonella contamination in pork carcasses, this association was not constant, given that there was a high variation in the probability of a carcass being positive for Salmonella according to the EC mainly between days of samples. The effect of the day of sampling on Salmonella prevalence was so large that the predictive value of the EC count for Salmonella isolation on a daily basis was compromised. It is possible that on some days batches with a high prevalence of Salmonella carriers shedding a high number of Salmonella were slaughtered. On these days, the potential for contamination/cross-contamination of carcasses will be so large that even hygienic slaughter, confirmed by the low EC on carcasses, will not be able to prevent the presence of Salmonella on some carcasses. The results of this study demonstrate that, despite the statistically significant association found, it may be difficult to predict when hygiene failure measured via EC actually indicates Salmonella contamination, and neither the inverse.

Detection of Genotipically Related Multi-resistant Escherichia coli Isolates in Pig Feces and Carcasses

Background: Antimicrobial resistant bacteria are considered a hazard not only for the treatment of animal diseases but also for public health. Commensal bacteria, such as Escherichia coli are considered a good indicator of antimicrobial resistance in the population, because it is a gut inhabitant and thus undergoes constant pressure of selection by the administration of antimicrobials. Regarding the public health, it is important to evaluate if resistant bacteria carried in the intestinal content of slaughter pigs can be found on the surface of pre chill carcasses. Therefore, the aims of this study were to evaluate the frequency of antimicrobial resistance in E. coli isolated from feces and pig carcasses; and to assess if multi-resistant isolates from both sources were phenotypically and genotypically related.Materials, Methods &amp; Results: Two sampling cycles were conducted in three pig slaughterhouses (A, B and C). In each cycle, samples were collected form: i. feces deposited on the pen floor of the lairage; ii. surface of carcasses at the prechill step. Samples were submitted to a protocol of isolation and confirmation of Escherichia coli. Isolates were grouped according to the origin: feces (n = 355); carcasses (n = 319); and evaluated for antimicrobial resistance by agar diffusion test. Ninety two isolates presenting multidrug resistance profile were analyzed by pulsed-field gel eletrophoresis (PFGE). Among the 674 isolates of E. coli, 7.4% were susceptible to all tested antibiotics while 79.5% (536/674) were multi-resistant. The most frequent resistance patterns were displayed to tetracycline (Tet, 85.9%), ampicillin (Amp, 73.0%), sulfonamide (Sul, 70.0%), florfenicol (Flo, 65.0%) and nalidixic acid (Nal, 58.9%). The most frequent multi-resistance profile among isolates from both origins was [AmpFloNalSulTet]. Multiresistant isolates originated from feces and carcasses displaying genotypically related pulsotypes (≥70% similarity) were found in all three slaughterhouses.Discussion: In agreement with other studies, E. coli isolated from pig feces and carcasses demonstrated a high frequency of antimicrobial resistance and multi-resistance. The most frequent resistance profiles included antimicrobials frequently used on farm as well as drugs that have been banned as feed additives some years ago in Brazil. The selection of resistant strains may be related to the selection pressiondue to the use of antimicrobials in the pig production chain as well as the co-selection of resistance mediated by genes located in common genetic elements. Therefore, the ban of an individual drug is not always associated with the immediate disappearance of the resistance phenotype in the bacteria population. The fact that most multi-resistant E. coli isolates from carcasses belonged to pulsotypes related to those originated from feces samples indicates that resistant E. coli isolates selected on farm may be able to survive the slaughter process and be found on the carcass. In this case, the possibility of those strains being able to reach the population through the consumption of pork products may have to be considered. This hazard has motivated the ban of antimicrobial use in animals in some countries. However, the ban of antimicrobials use on farm is a controversial issue, due to the economical losses that may result from this measure. Therefore, the prudent use of antimicrobials on farm should be encouraged and its influence in the multi-resistance profile of the enteric microbiota should be further studied.

The effect of high-level chlorine carcass drench on the recovery of Salmonella and enumeration of bacteria from broiler carcasses

A study was conducted to determine the bacteriological effect of exposing processed broiler carcasses to a high (10-fold increase) concentration chlorinated drench. During each of 6 replicate trials, eviscerated prechill carcasses were obtained from a commercial processing plant and chlorine-treated carcasses were subjected to a 1-min drench in 500 mL of a 500 mg/kg chlorine solution (sodium hypochlorite). Water-drenched carcasses were treated the same way except water was used in place of chlorinated water drench. Control carcasses were not drenched. All carcasses were then subjected to a whole carcass rinse (WCR) in 450 mL of buffered peptone water, from which 50 mL of the rinsate was removed for enumeration of total aerobic bacteria (APC), Escherichia coli, and total coliforms (TC). The entire carcass was then incubated 24 h at 37°C (whole carcass enrichment, WCE) for recovery of Salmonella. Levels of bacteria recovered from WCR were lower by 0.6 log10 cfu/mL for APC, 0.8 for E. coli, and 0.9 for TC when carcasses were drenched with water compared with undrenched control levels. Similarly, the levels of bacteria recovered from WCR were further lower by 1.0 log10 cfu/mL for APC, 0.5 for E. coli, and 0.5 for TC, when carcasses were drenched with 500 mg/kg of chlorine compared with water. However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in prevalence of Salmonella among the treatments (29% positive for control, 26% positive for water, 38% positive for chlorinated). These results indicate that drenching eviscerated carcasses with water or chlorinated water at 500 mg/kg significantly, but minimally, reduces the numbers of APC, E. coli, and TC bacteria recovered compared with undrenched carcasses. However, neither drenching carcasses with water or high chlorine had an effect on the prevalence of Salmonella that remain with the carcass as determined by WCE. The results of this study confirms the importance of maintaining and replenishing free chlorine for optimal antimicrobial activity, because chlorine at 500 mg/kg was rapidly used within 1 min of exposure to the carcass to <10 mg/kg.

Sampling Naturally Contaminated Broiler Carcasses for Salmonella by Three Different Methods

Postchill neck skin maceration (NSM) and whole-carcass rinsing (WCR) are frequently used methods to detect salmonellae from processed broilers. These are practical, nondestructive methods, but they are insensitive and may result in false negatives (20 to 40%). Neck skin samples comprise only 4% of the skin from the broiler carcass by weight, while WCR will not detect firmly attached Salmonella organisms and only 7.5% of the rinsate is utilized. Whole-carcass enrichment (WCE) involves incubation of the whole carcass overnight in a preenrichment broth and can recover as few as 8 inoculated Salmonella cells per carcass. The objective of this study was to use NSM, WCR, and WCE sampling to detect naturally occurring Salmonella from the same commercially processed broiler either prechill or postchill. Ten carcasses were obtained prechill and another 10 postchill on each of two replicate days from each of two commercial processing plants. From each carcass, 8.3 g of neck skin was sampled, and then the carcass was rinsed with 400 ml of 1% buffered peptone water. Thirty milliliters was removed and incubated (WCR), and the remaining 370 ml of broth and the carcass were incubated at 37°C for 24 h (WCE). Overall, Salmonella organisms were detected on 21, 24, and 32 of 40 prechill carcasses by NSM, WCR, and WCE, respectively, while 2, 2, and 19 of 40 postchill carcasses were positive by the respective methods. Prechill carcasses were 64% (77 of 120) positive for Salmonella, while postchill carcasses were 19% (23 of 120) positive. Commercial processing reduced the positive-sample prevalence by 45%. Salmonella organisms were detected on 20% (24 of 120) of the samples from plant 1 and 63% (76 of 120) of the carcasses from plant 2. This study demonstrates significant differences in the results for Salmonella prevalence among sampling methods both before and after immersion chilling, as well as between processing plants on days that samples were taken.

Occurrence, Antibiotic Resistance and Molecular Characterization of Listeria monocytogenes in the Beef Chain in the Republic of Ireland

This study investigated the occurrence, concentration and key characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes in beef chain samples (n=1100) over a 2-year period (July 2007-June 2009). Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from bovine hides (27%), pre-chill carcasses (14%) and ground beef (29%), but not from ready-to-eat (RTE) beef. The concentration of the pathogen in the majority (95%) of contaminated samples was low and detected by enrichment only. The highest concentrations recovered (100-200 CFU/g) were in ground beef samples. The most commonly isolated serotype group was 1/2a (58%) followed by 4b (12%), 1/2b (10%) and 1/2c (6%). A small portion (<5%) isolates had demonstrated resistance to key anti-microbials including ampicillin, vancomycin and gentamycin which are recommended treatment options for listeriosis. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed indistinguishable profiles for a number of isolates recovered from the hide and carcass (after slaughter and dressing) of the same animals, highlighting the role of hides as a source of contamination. Equally, indistinguishable pulsotypes for isolates recovered at different stages and time points (up to 6 months apart) in the beef chain demonstrated the persistence of specific clones in the factory, process and distribution environments. Overall, the study demonstrated a high prevalence of clinically significant L. monocytogenes entering and progressing along the beef chain and highlights the needs to control cross-contamination during beef processing and distribution and the need for thorough cooking of raw beef products.

Longitudinal Dissemination of Salmonella enterica Clonal Groups through the Slaughter Process of Salmonella-Positive Pig Batches

This study was conducted to assess the dissemination of Salmonella clonal groups in slaughterhouses that received batches of Salmonella -positive pigs and used different routine processing procedures. Eight serial sampling sessions were conducted in three slaughterhouses (A, B, and C). Blood was collected randomly (n = 25) from each batch of pigs and processed for serology. Carcasses (n = 12) were identified and sampled after dehairing, after singeing, after evisceration, and before chilling. A section of cecum also was collected. Salmonella isolates were submitted to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The overall seroprevalence of Salmonella was 80.6% (316 of 392 samples), and cecal contents were positive for Salmonella in 23.8% (26 of 109) of the pigs sampled. Carcasses after dehairing had a significantly higher prevalence of Salmonella (P = 0.004) and the highest Salmonella levels (median = 0.26 log CFU/300 cm(2)). The singeing step significantly affected the Salmonella status of the carcasses (P = 0.001); however, the efficacy of singeing differed among slaughterhouses. In the prechilling step, 14.7% (16 of 109) of the carcasses were positive for Salmonella. Salmonella pulsotypes found on the prechill carcasses were also found in the lairage, in the cecal contents, and on carcasses after dehairing, suggesting that the main source of contamination was the slaughter process before singeing. Slaughterhouse C was the most likely (odds ration [OR] = 6.51) to have pigs carrying Salmonella in the gut, and slaughterhouse B was the most likely (OR = 14.66) to have contaminated carcasses at the prechilling step. These findings indicate that the procedures adopted in slaughterhouse B contributed to the spread of Salmonella strains. In contrast, in slaughterhouse C the Salmonella strains carried by the pigs or found in the lairage were not recovered from prechilled carcasses, validating the effectiveness of the slaughterhouse interventions. These results indicate that an effective slaughter process can help decrease the number of Salmonella-positive carcasses in slaughterhouses that receive Salmonella-positive pig batches.

Microbiology of prechill carcasses from medium- and fast-growing pastured broiler chicken strains

SUMMARY Consumer demand is increasing for free-range and organic poultry products. The USDA requires that postchill broilers be tested for Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. Microbiological data are limited on the fast-growing Cornish cross (CX) chickens or the medium-growing Freedom Rangers (FR), 2 predominant strains of pastured broilers grown in the Southeast region of the United States. The objective of the present study was to compare the levels of total coliforms and E. coli, as well as the prevalence of Campylobacter and Salmonella, in pastured CX and FR strains. In each of 2 trials, 40 CX and 40 FR broilers were raised together on pasture with water and supplemental feed. At market weight, birds were processed and 20 prechill carcasses of each strain were evaluated for enumeration of total coliforms and E. coli, as well as the prevalence of Salmonella. Cecal contents were direct plated for Campylobacter detection. Mean counts for total coliforms and E. coli (expressed in log cfu/mL) were 3.8 and 3.4 for FR, which was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the 4.1 and 3.7 for the CX group. The Salmonella prevalence on carcasses was not different in trial 1 because of strain, but the FR strain had significantly lower Salmonella than the CX strain (50 vs. 100%, respectively) in trial 2. Irrespective of strain, the prevalence of Campylobacter was high (95% for FR vs. 100% for CX). In trial 2, although the medium-growing FR showed lower levels of total coliforms and E. coli, as well as a lower prevalence of Salmonella, even when reared with fast-growing CX, it is not known whether this could have been due to an inherent ability of FR to resist colonization or the benefit from longer residence on pasture.

Tracking the Salmonella status of pigs and pork from lairage through the slaughter process in the Republic of Ireland.

Salmonella Typhimurium is the predominant serotype isolated from humans in Europe. Pork and pork products are recognized vehicles of Salmonella and are responsible for outbreaks of human salmonellosis. Pigs can become infected with Salmonella on the breeding or fattening farm and during transport, lairage, and slaughter. The aim of this study was to investigate selected points of Salmonella contamination from the time pigs entered the lairage to the time the carcass was processed in the boning hall and to determine the importance of different sources of Salmonella along the Irish pork production chain. A second objective was to evaluate whether the serological status or category of a herd influenced the levels of bacteriological contamination detected on individual carcasses and pork cuts during slaughter and dressing operations. All samples were tested for the presence and numbers of Salmonella. Enterobacteriaceae numbers were also determined. Serotype, phage type, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis were utilized to determine similarity among Salmonella isolates. Lairage was a major source of cross-contamination with Salmonella as were the hands of evisceration operatives, conveyor belts, and equipment in the boning hall. Cross-contamination within the slaughter plant environment accounted for up to 69 % of Salmonella carcass contamination. In general, herd category reflected the bacteriological status of carcasses and pork cuts. Major findings were a strong association (P < 0.01) between Enterobacteriaceae counts and Salmonella occurrence on prechill carcasses and a significant association (P < 0.05) between Enterobacteriaceae counts and Salmonella occurrence on pork cut samples.

Microbiology of Broiler Carcasses and Chemistry of Chiller Water as Affected by Water Reuse

A study was conducted to determine the effects of treating and reusing poultry chiller water in a commercial poultry processing facility. Broiler carcasses and chiller water were obtained from a commercial processing facility which had recently installed a TOMCO Pathogen Management System to recycle water in sections 2 and 3 of two 3-compartment chillers. In this system, reused water is blended with fresh water to maintain the chiller volume. Carcasses were sampled prechill and postchill (final exit), and chiller water was sampled from the beginning and end of each of the 3 sections. Carcasses were subjected to a whole carcass rinse (WCR) in 0.1% peptone. Numbers of Escherichia coli (EC), coliforms (CF), and Campylobacter (CPY) were determined from the WCR and chiller water samples. Prevalence of Salmonella (SAL) was also determined on the WCR and chiller water samples. On average, prechill levels of bacteria recovered from rinses were 2.6, 2.9, and 2.6 log10 cfu/mL for EC, CF, and CPY, respectively. Ten out of 40 (25%) prechill carcasses were positive for SAL. After chilling, numbers of EC, CF, and CPY recovered from carcass rinses decreased by 1.5, 1.5, and 2.0 log10 cfu/mL, respectively. However, 9 out of 40 (22%) postchill carcasses were positive for SAL. When the chiller water samples were tested, counts of EC, CF, and CPY were found only in water collected from the first section of the chiller (inlet and outlet). Two of 4 water samples collected from the inlet of the first section tested positive for SAL. This study shows that fresh and reused water can be used to cool poultry in chiller systems to achieve a reduction in numbers of bacteria (EC, CF, and CPY) or equivalent prevalence (SAL) of bacteria recovered from broiler carcasses.

Effect of Dry Air or Immersion Chilling on Recovery of Bacteria from Broiler Carcasses

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of chilling method (air or immersion) on concentration and prevalence of Escherichia coli, coliforms, Campylobacter, and Salmonella recovered from broiler chicken carcasses. For each of four replications, 60 broilers were inoculated orally and intracloacally with 1 ml of a suspension containing Campylobacter at approximately 108 cells per ml. After 1 day, broilers were inoculated with 1 ml of a suspension containing Salmonella at approximately 108 cells per ml. Broilers were processed, and carcasses were cooled with dry air (3.5 m/s at −1.1°C for 150 min) or by immersion chilling in ice water (0.6°C for 50 min). Concentrations of E. coli, coliforms, Campylobacter, and Salmonella recovered from prechill carcasses averaged 3.5, 3.7, 3.4, and 1.4 log CFU/ml of rinse, respectively. Overall, both chilling methods significantly reduced bacterial concentrations on the carcasses, and no difference in concentrations of bacteria was observed between the two chilling methods (P < 0.05). Both chilling methods reduced E. coli and coliforms by 0.9 to 1.0 log CFU/ml. Air and immersion chilling reduced Campylobacter by 1.4 and 1.0 log CFU/ml and reduced Salmonella by 1.0 and 0.6 log CFU/ml, respectively. Chilling method had no effect on the prevalence of Campylobacter and Salmonella recovered from carcasses. These results demonstrate that air- and immersion-chilled carcasses without chemical intervention are microbiologically comparable, and a 90% reduction in concentrations of E. coli, coliforms, and Campylobacter can be obtained by chilling.

Prevalence of Arcobacter and Campylobacter on broiler carcasses during processing

Broiler carcasses ( n = 325) were sampled in a U.S. commercial poultry processing plant for the prevalence of Arcobacter and Campylobacter at three sites along the processing line: pre-scald, pre-chill and post-chill. Samples (75–125 broilers per site) were collected during five plant visits from August to October of 2004. Arcobacter was recovered from pre-scald carcasses more frequently (96.8%) than from pre-chill (61.3%) and post-chill carcasses (9.6%). Campylobacter was isolated from 92% of pre-scald carcasses, 100% of pre-chill carcasses, and 52% of post-chill carcasses. In total, Arcobacter was isolated from 55.1% (179 of 325), while Campylobacter was isolated from 78.5% (255 of 325) of the carcasses from the three collection sites. For Arcobacter identification, a species-specific multiplex PCR showed that A. butzleri was the most prevalent species (79.1%) followed by A. cryaerophilus 1B (18.6%). A. cryaerophilus 1A was found at low levels (2.3%). PCR identified the most common Campylobacter species as C. jejuni (87.6%) followed by C. coli (12.4%). Overall, significant contamination of broiler carcasses by Arcobacter was observed, although less than that found for Campylobacter. From pre-scald to post-chill, a far greater reduction in Arcobacter numbers was observed than for Campylobacter. Our results for Arcobacter, obtained from the same environment as the closely related pathogen Campylobacter, will aid in the development of control measures for this emerging pathogen.

A Study of the Prevalence and Enumeration of Salmonella enterica in Cattle and on Carcasses during Processing

Salmonella prevalence and counts were estimated for samples from the oral cavity, hide, rumen, and feces of 100 cattle at slaughter and from the pre- and postchill carcasses of these cattle. Samples were collected from 25 consecutively slaughtered cattle from each of four unrelated groups slaughtered at a single abattoir on different days. Ten additional fecal samples from each group were collected from their respective abattoir holding pens prior to slaughter. The prevalence of Salmonella was estimated using automated immunomagnetic separation, and the counts were estimated using a combination of most probable number (MPN) and automated immunomagnetic separation. A total of 606 samples were collected with Salmonella isolated from 157 (26%), including 29% of oral cavities, 68% of hides, 16% of feces collected after evisceration, 25% of rumen samples, 2% of prechill carcasses, 3% of postchill carcasses, and 48% of feces collected from holding pens. The prevalence and count of Salmonella varied between the different groups of animals tested. The highest count obtained was from a rumen sample (1.1 × 104 MPN/g). Other counts were generally low, with a maximum count in feces collected after evisceration and in the abattoir holding pens of 93 and 23 MPN/g, respectively. The highest count on hides, in oral cavities, and on carcasses was 4.8 MPN/cm2, 23 MPN/g, and 0.31 MPN/cm2, respectively. Even though Salmonella was present on the hides and in the rumen and feces of at least one animal from each group of cattle, the processing of animals at this abattoir resulted in few contaminated carcasses, and when contamination occurred, Salmonella was detected at low numbers.

An Investigation of Escherichia coli O157 Contamination of Cattle during Slaughter at an Abattoir

The extent of contamination with Escherichia coli O157 was determined for 100 cattle during slaughter. Samples from 25 consecutively slaughtered cattle from four unrelated groups were collected from the oral cavity, hide, rumen, feces after evisceration, and pre- and postchill carcass. Ten random fecal samples were collected from the pen where each group of animals was held at the abattoir. E. coli O157 was detected using automated immunomagnetic separation (AIMS), and cell counts were determined using a combination of most probable number (MPN) and AIMS. E. coli O157 was isolated from 87 (14%) of the 606 samples collected, including 24% of 99 oral cavity samples, 44% of 100 hides, 10% of 68 fecal samples collected postevisceration, 6% of 100 prechill carcass swabs, and 15% of 40 fecal samples collected from holding pens. E. coli O157 was not isolated from rumen or postchill carcass samples. E. coli O157 was isolated from at least one sample from each group of cattle tested, and the prevalence in different groups ranged from less than 1 to 41%. The numbers of E. coli O157 differed among the animals groups. The group which contained the highest fecal (7.5 × 105 MPN/g) and hide (22 MPN/cm2) counts in any individual animal was the only group in which E. coli O157 was isolated from carcasses, suggesting a link between the numbers of E. coli O157 present and the risk of carcass contamination. Processing practices at this abattoir were adequate for minimizing contamination of carcasses, even when animals were heavily contaminated with E. coli O157.

Microbial contamination on beef in relation to hygiene assessment based on criteria used in EU Decision 2001/471/EC

Thirty-six carcasses were sampled over a 12-month period at an Irish beef abattoir. Between one and five carcass sites (including the hock, brisket, cranial back, bung, inside round and outside round) were sampled after hind leg skinning, hide removal, bung tying, evisceration, splitting, washing, chilling for 24 h and boning, using a wet and dry, cotton wool swab technique. For each sample, total viable counts (TVC), Escherichia coli, total coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae were enumerated. The results are considered in relation to European Union Decision 2001/471/EC which sets performance criteria for TVCs and Enterobacteriaceae in samples taken by excision. Though not explicitly stated in the Decision, it has been proposed that microbiological performance criteria for samples taken by swabbing be set at 20% of the values set for excision samples. Therefore, log mean TVCs in carcass swab samples taken before chilling are acceptable, marginal and unacceptable when they are <2.8, 2.8–4.30 and >4.30 cm −2, respectively. By these criteria, TVCs on carcasses in the present study were in the marginal range. The marginal result for TVCs was due in the most part to hide removal operations, particularly at the hock and brisket sites. Bacterial contamination on post-chill carcasses was similar or lower to that on pre-chill carcasses, while boning resulted in general increases in TVCs and in E. coli, total coliform and Enterobacteriaceae numbers. In Decision 2001/471/EC, the effects of chilling and boning are not included in the assessment of process control. Data from this study indicate that performance criteria based on log mean Enterobacteriaceae values are unsuitable because of the infrequent occurrence of these organisms on the carcass.