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Listen to this siteThursday 16 September 2004
This review aims to obtain detailed information on the current industry practise for testing and scheduling flocks for salmonella and campylobacter.
Study Duration : January 2002 to July 2002
Contractor : Direct Laboratories
At present the majority of broiler farmers test their birds for salmonella so that infected birds can be slaughtered at the end of the day (scheduling) to minimise the risks of cross contamination between carcasses. The purpose of this review is to obtain detailed information on the current industry practices for testing and scheduling flocks for salmonella and campylobacter in the slaughterhouse.
Information will be obtained from a range of different sources both in the UK and overseas. Nine companies, representing a cross-section of the UK poultry meat production and slaughter industries, will be interviewed and the information collected by completion of a standard questionnaire. Issues relating to testing and scheduling will be gathered from a range of sources including experts in ADAS Consultancy, Veterinary Laboratories Agency, the University of Bristol and key stakeholders in the poultry industry. Information will also be obtained from a scientific literature review which focuses on screening broiler flocks for salmonella and campylobacter and the value of logistic slaughter as an intervention to control salmonella.
The review showed that considerable variation occurred between companies in all areas of testing and scheduling including numbers/types of samples taken, sampling plans/procedures, sample handling, test methods and scheduling of positive flocks for slaughter.
Over 95% of UK flocks are tested for salmonella, but improvements are required to ensure all positive flocks are detected. A much smaller proportion of flocks are tested for campylobacter although in most cases this was for research purposes and companies were unclear on what actions to take following a positive result. There was general agreement amongst all interviewees that industry needs guidance on how to undertake testing for salmonella and campylobacter to ensure the maximum number of positive flocks are identified. There is sufficient scientific information available for guidance to be produced for salmonella but the production of guidance for campylobacter would require further investigations.
Final report is available from the FSA Library and Information centre. To obtain a copy, please contact the Enquiry Desk, Dr Elsie Widdowson Library and Information Services, Food Standards Agency tel: 020 7276 8181/8182 or by email: library&info@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
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Email
: science@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
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