Insights on meat hygiene quality in global trade

Animal protein trade increase underscores the need for robust sanitary systems in complex global supply chains. We analysed 15,797 microbiological records of enumerated Aerobic plate counts (APC) and generic E. coli from meat consignments at South African ports of entry. Data were log₁₀-transformed and differences by country of origin and product type were tested with one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post-hoc test (P < 0.05). Pearson correlations, statistical process control (SPC) charts, and process capability indices (Cp, Cpk, Cpm) were calculated relative to upper specification limits (APC: 1 × 10⁶ CFU/g; E. coli: 1 × 10³ CFU/g). Significant country-level differences in mean APC and E. coli were pronounced in poultry (p < 0.05). Moderate positive correlations between APC and E. coli were observed in poultry (r = 0.50), beef (r = 0.32), turkey (r = 0.27), and pork (r = 0.24), but non-significant in ovine meat (r = 0.06). SPC revealed upstream processes lacking statistical control, with multiple points outside ±3σ limits indicating special-cause variation. Capability was marginal (high Cp but low Cpk/Cpm) with poultry showing better Cpk than beef. APC and E. coli are effective complementary hygiene indicators, particularly for poultry and beef and SPC analysis of port-of-entry data uncovers supply-chain instabilities.