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Microbiological survey of five poultry processing plants in the UK |
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| Authors: | G C Mead W R Hudson M H Hinton |
| Institution: | 1. School of Veterinary Science , University of Bristol , Langford, Avon, BS18 7DU;2. The Royal Veterinary College , University of London , Boitons Park, Hawkshead Road, Potters Bar, Herts, EN6 1NB, UK |
| Abstract: | 1. Neck skin samples were taken from chickens and turkeys at all the main stages of processing to monitor changes in total viable count (TVC) and counts of coliforms and pseudomonads. 2. Processing reduced TVC by up to 100‐fold. Geometric mean counts after packaging were log10 4.4 to 5.3 CFU/g whilst corresponding counts of coliforms were 2.7 to 3.8 CFU/g. 3. Increases in mean TVC or coliforms as a result of either defeathering or evisceration did not exceed 0.6 log. 4. Pseudomonads represented only a minor fraction of the initial microflora of the bird and were often reduced by scalding to a figure which could not be detected by direct plating of samples; however, subsequent contamination resulted in means between log10 2.9 and 4.0 CFU/g for packaged carcases. 5. Although Staphylococcus aureus was readily isolated from defeathering equipment, mean counts from defeathered carcases were always below log10 3.0 CFU/g. |
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