Alternative method for knife disinfection with INSPEXX 200 is more efficient than 82°C water

EU regulations require disinfection of slaughter-equipment with water of at least 82ºC. However, according EU regulation 853/2004, an alternative system having an equivalent effect may be used when equivalence can be shown. Ecolab’s Inspexx© 200 (Inspexx) is a solution containing a stabilised blend of peracetic acid, peroctanoic acid and other organic acids – is shown to be an equivalent alternative. It is applied in water at ambient temperatures and does not need to be rinsed after application. A practical trial in a Dutch pork abattoir was performed to study whether Inspexx is adequately effective in disinfecting knives used at slaughter. The standard method of disinfection with water of 82°C is used as reference whereas Enterobacteriaceae and mesophilic aerobic counts are outcome variables. Knives are immersed in hot water or Inspexx for 0, 1, 10, 30 and 60 seconds respectively

Spatial analysis of BSE cases in the Netherlands

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In many of the European countries affected by Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), case clustering patterns have been observed. Most of these patterns have been interpreted in terms of heterogeneities in exposure of cattle to the BSE agent. Here we investigate whether spatial clustering is present in the Dutch BSE case data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We have found three spatial case clusters in the Dutch BSE epidemic. The clusters are geographically distinct and each cluster appears in a different birth cohort. When testing all birth cohorts together, only one significant cluster was detected. The fact that we found stronger spatial clustering when using a cohort-based analysis, is consistent with the evidence that most BSE infections occur in animals less than 12 or 18 months old.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Significant spatial case clustering is present in the Dutch BSE epidemic. The spatial clusters of BSE cases are most likely due to time-dependent heterogeneities in exposure related to feed production.</p

Meat Juice serology underestimates prevalence of Salmonella in pig herds

Salmonella serology is used for classifying pig herds in risk categories in several national quality programs. Meat juice is used as test matrix in most of these programs. Two studies were done to compare the salmonella ELISA test results from meat juice with blood serum as a reference. Pig blood and meat samples for these studies were collected in one slaughterhouse. ELISA tests were done with a commonly applied commercial test. In the first study paired blood serum and meat juice samples from 182 pigs were collected and tested in two different laboratories. In the second study meat and blood samples were collected from 470 herds, over 20.000 samples for each matrix

Origin of Listeria monocytogenes on meat products

Listeria monocytogenes is a relevant food safety hazard in ready to eat products. Inactivation during processing, prevention of recontamination and control of multiplication are the main instruments to secure the safety of meat products. Intensive microbiological monitoring of products and the production environment are valuable tools to assess the level of control in a meat processing plant. During the course of a year all isolates found during hygiene monitoring at a meat processing plant were stored at -70 degrees Celsius. A total of 94 L. monocytogenes isolates have been analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and were divided into 30 different types

Experiences with a risk based meat inspection standard in pigs

The European Union legislation provides several possibilities to modernize meat inspection. Improvement of food safety by active contribution of food business operators in the supply chain being responsible for food safety is envisaged in these new standards

A practical framework for tracing sources of Salmonella in a pig slaughter plant

Salmonella causes around 30 000 cases of human illness per year in The Netherlands, of which an estimated 25% is caused by pork. Salmonella carrying pigs and resident flora on slaughter equipment are relevant sources of carcass contamination. Although recognized, these sources from which and the routes through which Salmonella is transmitted to the pig carcasses during slaughter are not well understood in a quantitative way

Case studies: Tuberculination in pig herds suspected of infection with Mycobacterium avium

Mycobacterium avium, both subspecies hominissuis (MAH) and subsp avium (MAA), are considered a significant zoonotic hazard in pigs. Therefore special attention is given to detect the presence of this hazard in pigs during post mortem meat inspection. Herds delivered at slaughter were monitored on blood antibodies against MAH. Herds with an antibody response against a MAH infection were visited. Initially a questionnaire assessing relevant risk factors for MAH was applied

Case study: Tuberculination, serology and bacteriology of sows at a farrowing unit suspected of an infection with Mycobacterium avium

Mycobacterium avium (MA) is considered a zoonotic hazard in pork. Herds delivered at slaughter showing gross lesions indicative of a mycobacterial infection, eg. specific abcesses in lymphoreticular tissue, were bacteriologically positive for MA. A risk factor analysis revealing different possible sources of primary infection was carried out at farms supplying these pigs. Also the common farrowing farm supplying the piglets to these farms was taken into account as a possible source of infection. Intradermal tuberculin testing, serology and tissue sampling was carried out on the sows and finishing pigs

Quantitative exposure to livestock-associated MRSA ST398 of pig slaughterhouse workers

Objectives: To quantify livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) exposure to workers in pig slaughterhouses and assess associated risk factors for carriage in slaughterhouse workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study in three Dutch pig slaughterhouses was undertaken. Nasal swabs of 341 participants, surface wipes, air, and glove samples were screened for presence of MRSA. MRSA was quantitatively determined on gloves and in air samples by culturing and real-time PCR