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Tracing Surrogates for Enteric Pathogens Inoculated on Hide through the Beef Harvesting Process
Mariana Villarreal-Silva1, Daniel P Genho1, Irfan Ilhak1
1Center for Food Safety, Department of Animal Science, Texas Agrilife Research, Texas A&M University, 2471 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-2471.
Journal of Food Protection
|February 22, 2017
Summary
This study tracked contamination in beef processing, finding that microbial transfer occurs from hides to carcasses and equipment. Proper hide opening is crucial for preventing contamination during beef postharvest processing.
Area of Science:
- Food Safety
- Microbiology
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Antimicrobial interventions are used in beef postharvest processing.
- The impact of the postharvest environment on pathogen contamination requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the impact of the postharvest environment on pathogen cross-contamination in beef processing.
- To simulate pathogen cross-contamination using surrogate microorganisms at three abattoirs.
Main Methods:
- Inoculated hide-on beef carcasses with fluorescent Escherichia coli biotype I as surrogates for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella.
- Collected samples from carcasses, adjacent non-inoculated carcasses, environment, personal garments, and equipment at various processing stages.
- Quantified microbial transfer and cross-contamination throughout the beef harvesting process.
Main Results:
- Cross-contamination was observed from inoculated hides to carcasses and adjacent non-inoculated carcasses.
- Microbial transfer occurred from hides/carcasses to the environment, personal garments, and equipment.
- Equipment showed higher surrogate counts (15%) than environmental samples (10%), with personal garments showing the lowest (7%).
Conclusions:
- Adequate carcass dressing procedures are vital for preventing contamination.
- An effective hide opening procedure is a critical step in minimizing carcass contamination during beef processing.
