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Bacteriological Safety of Swine Carcasses Treated with Reconditioned Water
Author(s) -
MILLER A.J.,
SCHULTZ F.J.,
OSER A.,
HALLMAN J.L.,
PALUMBO S.A.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of food science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1750-3841
pISSN - 0022-1147
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2621.1994.tb08116.x
Subject(s) - scalding , fecal coliform , potable water , listeria monocytogenes , disinfectant , feces , veterinary medicine , environmental science , biology , food science , microbiology and biotechnology , environmental engineering , water quality , chemistry , bacteria , medicine , ecology , genetics , organic chemistry
Swine carcass microflora were evaluated for selected foodborne pathogens after exposure to reconditioned water during scalding, dehairing, and polishing operations. Reused water had been reconditioned and chlorinated. Rodac plates applied to hams were used to assess carcass microflora. Water samples were enumerated using membrane filtration or spiral plating. Sampling was at mid‐week throughout the year. Total aerobic plate counts on hams were unaffected by treating with potable or reconditioned waters. No differences were observed for staphylococci, enterics, fecal streptococci, Listeria monocytogenes , coliforms, and Aeromonas levels. A preevisceration potable water carcass wash reduced the bacterial load, regardless of initial treatment. Bacterial counts on carcasses paralleled those in water. Reuse is an alternative to potable water for initial slaughter operations without diminishing bacteriologic safety.