[Decontamination of hot beef carcases with organic acids (author's transl)]

The decontamination effect of spraying hot beef carcases with solutions of lactic acid and solutions of the commercial preparation of pH liquid was studied. Spraying a 0.5 per cent lactic acid solution only resulted in a significant reduction of aerobic, gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial counts on severely contaminated areas. Treatment with a 0.75 per cent solution of lactic acid caused a significant decrease of almost all bacterial counts, whereas a 1 per cent lactic solution produced a significant reduction of all bacterial counts at the sites sampled. The maximum reduction was 2 log units per sq.cm. and varied with the level of contamination. A 5 per cent pH Liquid solution was ineffective and a 20 per cent pH Liquid solution had an effect similar to that of a 0.5 per cent lactic acid solution. The reduced bacterial counts persisted during three days of storage in the chilling room. When the above concentrations are applied, this will not cause any permanent changes of colour of the treated carcases. These changes do occur when a 10 per cent solution of lactic acid is used. This treatment can only be used to spray severely contaminated superficial layers which are to be removed. Recommendations are made for the possible use of organic acids in the slaughter line. The legal aspects are discussed.