Study Shows Salmonella Control Needed on Farm and Processing

SPAIN - New research confirms that both slaughter and live production need to be considered in controlling Salmonella in pig meat.
calendar icon 9 May 2013
clock icon 3 minute read

Salmonella is one of the major foodborne pathogens worldwide. Pork products are among the main sources of Salmonella infection in humans, and several countries have established Salmonella surveillance and control programmes.

Researchers from the University of León led by Hector Arguello reports that the role of slaughtering in carcass contamination has been indicated by studies focused on the slaughterhouse environment.

In their review in Journal of Food Protection, they examine and discuss the information available regarding the influence that farm status, pig transport and lairage have on the carriage of Salmonella by pigs entering the slaughter line.

Their work confirms that both slaughter and live production need to be considered in controlling Salmonella in pig meat.

The evolution of carcass contamination throughout the slaughtering process, the main sources of contamination in the dirty and clean zones of the slaughter line, and previously reported prevalence of Salmonella on carcasses and factors affecting this prevalence were also addressed. The importance of implementing interventions at the slaughter level is discussed briefly.

Consistent with the information available, pigs from infected farms and newly acquired or recrudescent infections in pigs at the subsequent stages of transport and lairage are important sources of Salmonella at the slaughtering plant.

The continuous introduction of Salmonella into the slaughterhouse and the potential for resident flora constitute a risk for carcass contamination.

At the slaughterhouse, some dressing activities can reduce carcass contamination, but others are critical control points that jeopardize carcass hygiene.

This information indicates the importance of considering slaughter and previous stages in the pork production chain for controlling Salmonella in pig production, concluded Arguello and co-authors.

Reference

Arguello H., Álvarez-Ordoñez, A., Carvajal A., Rubio P. and Prieto M. 2013. Role of slaughtering in Salmonella spreading and control in pork production. Journal of Food Protection, Number 5, May 2013, 744-918 , pp. 899-911(13). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-12-404

Further Reading

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