Author
Submitted to: Midwest Poultry Federation Proceedings
Publication Type: Trade Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 3/5/2001 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Many human enteric illness are caused by Campylobacter and Salmonella, and poultry products can be vectors for foodborne illnesses caused by these enteric pathogens. The threat of foodborne illness has created a need to control or reduce the numbers of these pathogens in food producing animals. Effective control programs must involve multiple intervention strategies at critical control points from farm-to-table. Contamination of the broiler carcass begins on farm with the potential of cross- contamination to clean carcasses during processing. Government regulations (Pathogen Reduction Act) and the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Program (HACCP) concept have resulted in intense record keeping, sampling programs, and the development of potentially innovative solutions. To utilize interventions strategies, scientists and poultry producers must identify and understand potential sites of contamination during production. Some key areas that need to be addressed to decrease potential contamination of poultry preharvest include: feed withdrawal, influences of nutritional components, environmental factors (such as temperature, humidity, etc.) and finally transportation. Our laboratory has identified the use of lactic acid during feed withdrawal as a potential intervention strategy for reducing Campylobacter and Salmonella. However, no single intervention strategy will eliminate foodborne pathogens in the crop and understanding these factors that may prevent or contribute to the problem is the first step in establishing intervention strategies to control or reduce these foodborne pathogens. |