ARS | Publication request: CARCASS SALMONELLA AND CAMPYLOBACTER CONTAMINATION RESULTING FROM CROP CONTENT. SPILLAGE DURING EVISCERATION CAN BE REMOVED BY CARCASS WASHING

Submitted to: Southern Poultry Science Society Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 27, 2001
Publication Date: August 11, 2002
Citation: Buhr, R.J., Hinton Jr, A., Ingram, K.D. 2002. Carcass salmonella and campylobacter contamination resulting from crop content. spillage during evisceration can be removed by carcass washing. [abstract] Southern Poultry Science Society Meeting.

Technical Abstract: A processing trial was conducted to determine if carcass washing could remove bacterial contamination that occurred from ruptured crop contents. Broilers were orally challenged twice with 1 mL of Salmonella typhimurium and Campylobacter jejuni, 1 and 2 d prior to processing. Following an 8 h feed withdrawal, broilers were scalded, defeathered, and manually eviscerated. During evisceration the crop was loosened and either pulled thru the thoracic cavity intact or slit in half while in the thoracic cavity and torn to release its contents into the cavity. The first whole carcass rinse was then obtained. Next all carcasses were placed in an inside/outside carcass washer and sprayed with tap water for 30 seconds. A second whole carcass rinse was then obtained. Salmonella recovery for carcasses with crops that were removed intact were 4 positive of 8 sampled at log10 2.41 CFU/mL of rinse prior to carcass washing and reduced to 2/8 positive at 1.3 CFU after washing. Salmonella recovery for carcasses where the crops ruptured during evisceration were 7/8 positive at 2.12 CFU prior to washing and were reduced to 3/8 positive at a level of 1.77 CFU following carcass washing. For Campylobacter, carcasses with crops removed intact were 8/8 positive at 3.17 CFU prior to washing and 7/8 at 2.16 CFU after carcass washing. Campylobacter recovery for carcasses where crops ruptured during evisceration were 8/8 positive at 2.99 CFU prior to washing and 7/8 positive at a level of 1.64 CFU following washing. Carcass washing reduced both recovery incidence and counts for Salmonella and less for Campylobacter for carcasses where the crop was removed intact or ruptured during manual evisceration.