Mapping foodborne pathogen contamination throughout the conventional and alternative poultry supply chains

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Microbiology
• Animal Science

Background:

• Growing consumer interest in natural and organic food products has increased the popularity of alternative poultry production systems.
• Alternative systems (organic, pasture, free-range) have stricter rearing practices, potentially altering microbiological risk profiles compared to conventional systems.
• Complex supply chains in both conventional and alternative poultry production offer numerous opportunities for foodborne pathogen contamination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review potential routes of foodborne pathogen transmission in conventional and alternative poultry supply chains.
• To emphasize the differences in microbiological risks between conventional and alternative poultry management systems.
• To identify knowledge gaps crucial for improving poultry risk-based decision-making.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific publications on foodborne pathogens in poultry production.
• Comparative analysis of microbiological risks across different poultry supply chain stages.
• Identification of research gaps related to food safety in alternative poultry systems.

Main Results:

• Foodborne pathogens can contaminate poultry at various supply chain points in both conventional and alternative systems.
• Stricter rearing in alternative systems may introduce unique or modified microbiological risks.
• Understanding these transmission routes is essential for targeted food safety interventions.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive understanding of pathogen transmission routes is vital for ensuring poultry meat safety.
• Further research is needed to address specific knowledge gaps in alternative poultry production systems.
• Risk-based decision-making frameworks can be enhanced by detailed comparative analyses of production systems.