How Well is the Poultry Industry in the U.S. Controlling Salmonella, Campylobacter and Other Bacteria on Raw Poultry?

Introduction

The USDA-Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) just released a document entitled, “The nationwide microbiological baseline data collection program: Young chicken survey.” The program was designed and performed by the FSIS to estimate the percent positive and level of microbiological pathogens and indicator bacteria on raw chicken carcasses sampled between July 2007 and June 2008.

Methods

From July 2007 to June 2008, 6,550 broiler chicken carcass ri...nsate samples were collected at 182 establishments that slaughtered young chickens and produced whole carcasses under federal inspection. Samples were taken at two different locations within the plant (Re-Hang and Post-Chill) and were collected from two different shifts. The re-hang location is in the front of the plant just after picking and hock-cutting, before carcasses are transferred to the evisceration line. Carcass rinse samples were evaluated to estimate the percent positive rate and levels of multiple pathogenic organisms including Salmonella and Campylobacter. The presence and number of these bacteria were compared to determine if significant differences existed between samples taken at Re-Hang and Post-Chill and during the separate shifts. Figures 1 and 2 show the data obtained for Salmonella and Campylobacter prevalence on carcasses.

Details

Year Volume Number Categories
2009 49 15