ARS | Publication request: Measures in feed and water to reduce pathogen incidence in animal production

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: December 1, 2006
Publication Date: December 15, 2006
Citation: Byrd II, J.A. 2006. Measures in feed and water to reduce pathogen incidence in animal production. Proceedings of the 4th International Seminar on Food Safety. p. 23-34.

Technical Abstract: In the United States there is a population of 300 million individuals with an estimated 76 million illnesses each year. The two primary pathogenic bacteria responsible for these illnesses are due to foodborne illness. Clearly, effective control programs must involve multiple intervention strategies at critical control points from farm-to-table for control of these pathogens. Contamination of the broiler carcass begins on farms or in the hatchery with potential to cross-contaminate clean carcasses during processing. The present review addresses several pre-harvest intervention strategies that could be utilized before transport to processing. These strategies include: vaccination, prebiotics, probiotics, bacteriophages, medication, feed withdrawal, feed additives and water additives. Currently, no single intervention strategy will eliminate foodborne pathogens. However, simultaneous implementation of several strategies to control or reduce foodborne pathogens may have tremendous benefits.