Microbial risk assessment regarding the prevalence of microbial pathogen on poultry carcasses destined for public consumption

Abstract

The aim of this research was to perform a microbial risk assessment of potential pathogen bacteria in the poultry carcasses processed in slaughterhouses in Transylvania. Between July 2015 and June 2016, a total of 72 samples of poultry neck skin were collected from slaughterhouse located in Transylvania, 36 sample each year (six sample/month). Based on the analyses carried out on the samples collected in 2015, it was found that out of the total of the examined samples, 58.33% were compliant. From positive samples we isolate the following strains: Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli. In case of samples collected during 2016, we recorded an insignificant increase regarding the prevalence of Salmonella enteritidis (p> 0.05) and a significant decrease of Campylobacter jejuni (p <0.05) between the samples examined in 2016 compared to 2015. Campylobacter jejuni represents the main microbiological risk isolated from chicken carcasses both in 2015 and 2016. The highest prevalence was recorded during the warm season of the year, respectively, from May to August, which indicates deficiencies related to the cooling system of slaughterhouse. The microbiological risk assessment of poultry carcasses demonstrates the very important role of pathogenic microorganisms in food borne illnesses outbreaks in case of non-compliance with hygiene standards and inadequate monitoring of the food safety management system.