Controlling microbial contamination on beef and lamb meat during processing |
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| Authors: | PR WIDDERS KJ COATES S WARNER JC BEATTIE IR MORGAN MW HICKEY† |
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| Institution: | *Victorian Institute of Animal Science, 475 Mickleham Road, Attwood, Victoria 3049;?Australian Food Research Institute, Sneydes Road, Werribee, Victoria 3030 |
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| Abstract: | SUMMARY The microbiological quality of carcases, meat and environmental surfaces was evaluated in commercial boning rooms processing beef and lamb. There was considerable variation in the level of microbial contamination on both carcases and meat, with counts ranging from less than 20 to 108/cm2 on carcases and to 2 times 107/cm2 on meat. The level of microbial contamination on meat was influenced by the level of carcase contamination at boning and by the boning process itself. Carcase contamination was the major determinant of microbiological quality, as more than 70% of carcases had microbial counts greater than 103/cm2. Cutting boards were a major source for microbial dissemination during boning, particularly when carcase counts were less than 103/cm2. If carcases were heavily contaminated, the contamination of processing surfaces was irrelevant in determining microbial loads on meat. Where carcase contamination was at low to moderate levels, the contribution of the boning process to the contamination on meat assumed increased significance. Under these conditions, improved sanitation of cutting surfaces in the boning room resulted in a significant reduction in microbial contamination on the surface of meat. These results can form the basis for ensuring that improvements made in carcase management before boning, to improve microbiological quality, will be preserved through attention to cutting board hygiene during boning. |
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