Only a few countries worldwide hunt seals and whales commercially. In Norway, hooded and harp seals and minke whales are commercially harvested, and coastal seals (harbour and grey seals) are hunted ...as game. Marine mammal meat is sold to the public and thus included in general microbiological meat control regulations. Slaughtering and dressing of marine mammals are performed in the open air on deck, and many factors on board sealing or whaling vessels may affect meat quality, such as the ice used for cooling whale meat and the seawater used for cleaning, storage of whale meat in the open air until ambient temperature is reached, and the hygienic conditions of equipment, decks, and other surfaces. Based on existing reports, it appears that meat of seal and whale does not usually represent a microbiological hazard to consumers in Norway, because human disease has not been associated with consumption of such foods. However, as hygienic control on marine mammal meat is ad hoc, mainly based on spot‐testing, and addresses very few human pathogens, this conclusion may be premature. Additionally, few data from surveys or systematic quality control screenings have been published. This review examines the occurrence of potential human pathogens in marine mammals, as well as critical points for contamination of meat during the slaughter, dressing, cooling, storage and processing of meat. Some zoonotic agents are of particular relevance as foodborne pathogens, such as Trichinella spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Salmonella and Leptospira spp. In addition, Mycoplasma spp. parapoxvirus and Mycobacterium spp. constitute occupational risks during handling of marine mammals and marine mammal products. Adequate training in hygienic procedures is necessary to minimize the risk of contamination on board, and acquiring further data is essential for obtaining a realistic assessment of the microbiological risk to humans from consuming marine mammal meat.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
In the study, total numbers and distribution of hide microflora, as well as its transferability to meat
via direct contact, were investigated. Average total viable counts of bacteria (TVC) and
...Enterobacteriaceae counts (EC) on 40 bovine hides (cattle from three geographic regions; slaughtered at single abattoir) were 6.7 and 4.3 log cfu/cm
2, respectively. All hides contained generic
Escherichia coli (GEC) but
Salmonella spp. was not isolated from any bovine hide examined. Distal leg (metacarpus) and brisket areas were contaminated significantly heavier, in terms of TVC (6.9 and 7.1 log
cfu/cm
2, respectively), EC (4.5 and 4.3 log cfu/cm
2, respectively) and GEC (occurrence 75% and 65%, respectively), than rump, flank and neck areas. No statistically significant differences in TVC, EC and GEC between the top layer and the lower layer (closer to skin) of the hide hair on visually clean hides were found. Only a small proportion (between 0.5 and 0.00002%) of total microflora (TVC) of hide was transmitted onto meat
via direct contact under applied contact conditions (0.5–2
kg for 2 s; stationary or “sliding” contact). Nevertheless, the associated meat safety risks are assessed as significant, due to both high microbial loads existing on hide and high frequency of the hide-origin carcass cross contamination occurring in practice.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 91 meat handlers by using structured questionnaire to determine the food safety knowledge, attitude and practices in abattoir and retail meat shops of ...Jigjiga Town. The result shows that majority of the meat handlers were illiterate (30.8%) and primary school leaver (52.7%), and no one went through any food safety training except one meat inspector. The food-handlers' knowledge and safety practices were below acceptable level with the mean score of 13.12 ± 2.33 and 7.7 ± 2.1 respectively. Only few respondents knew about Staphylococcus aureus (3.3% correct answer), hepatitis A virus (19.8% correct answer), and E. coli (5.5% correct answer) as food borne pathogens. About 64% of meat handlers have good attitude about safety of food with mean of total score 14.4 ± 2. All respondents answer correctly questions about proper meat handling and hand washing but they did not translate into strict food hygiene practices. Chi2 analysis testing for the association between knowledge, attitude and practices did not show any significant association. It may be due to meat handlers' below acceptable level safety practices regardless of sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude. However, there was strong association between level of education and knowledge, and knowledge and hand washing (p < 0.05). There was also association between age and knowledge though it was not statistically significant. Thus, continuous education and hands on training for meat handlers that can enhance good safety practices through better understanding and positive attitude.
Meat is highly nutritional and rich in proteins, which makes it a good substrate for possible microbial growth. As a result, in its raw state, meat is easily susceptible to colonization by ...microorganisms. This study describes the possible sources of contamination associated with food handlers in butcheries, as well as the microorganisms that are able to contaminate meat and potentially a cause variety of illness. The study also reflects on the knowledge and behaviour of food handlers, their equipment and the working surfaces in butcheries as potential sources of contamination. Meat processing hygiene is part of Quality Management (QM) in abattoirs and butcheries. The QM refers to the hygienic measures taken during various processing stages of meat products. Hence, contamination of meat is often caused by food handlers, the production chain and equipment used. Therefore, it is fundamental in this study to identify possible contamination sources and types of microorganisms associated with such meat safety contamination. The latter is important for optimizing hygiene practices in butcheries and minimizing possible health-related risks.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, NUK, PILJ, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The present report describes the reappearance of Taenia ovis krabbei in a roe deer from Denmark after more than 60 years. The cysticerci were isolated from the thigh muscle of the deer, and the ...diagnosis was based on histostological analysis, morphology of the rostellar-hooks as well as molecular typing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (cox1) gene. The exact definitive host was not revealed in this report, but domestic dogs may play a role of the definitive host in the area. This finding is of concern to hunters and deer meat producers, since the infected meat is usually condemned due to esthetic reasons.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Objective
To investigate the cause of an outbreak of bovine cysticercosis (Taenia saginata) infection on a cattle property in north‐western New South Wales (NSW).
Methods
Cystic lesions were detected ...in the muscles of cattle during routine meat inspection at slaughter. These lesions were confirmed to be cysticerci of T. saginata through histology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Data on cattle maintenance were obtained through interviews with feedlot owners and staff. A suspect feed supplement was investigated.
Results
Between 5 July to 13 December 2010, 390 feedlot cattle from north‐western NSW were slaughtered in abattoirs in NSW and Queensland. Of these, 138 animals had been maintained exclusively in feedlot enclosures from 80 to 300 days. Bovine cysticercosis was discovered in 80 cattle (58%, 26 carcasses were condemned). Another 18 cattle spent 24 h in the feedlot before being moved onto pasture and 1 of them was found to be infected. During the 5 months following the initial outbreak, a further 275 cattle were slaughtered; 2 of 51 heifers retained in the feedlot for a further 100 days were infected. None of the 234 animals grazed exclusively on pasture on the property were infected. Bovine cysticercosis was confirmed through examination of histological sections of muscle lesions and PCR using DNA extracted from cysticerci. No eggs of T. saginata were recovered from the feed supplement using a standard flotation method.
Conclusions
The source of infection arose from rations contaminated with human faeces. All possibilities for local contamination were eliminated during the investigation. The suspected source of infection was imported copra meal, which was used as a feed supplement.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The poultry industry, with its fast 8-10% growth rate annually, is the second largest industry of Pakistan, however the structural flow of meat products from farmers to consumers is multifaceted. The ...potential of the meat industry, with its variety of end products, is growing rapidly and serving the wealthier populations of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The meat industry has many emerging constraints for the supply of meat and its products from market to the consumer. Adopting modern poultry farming methods without following the strict hygienic conditions will prove to be a threat in the near future. The traditional supply of all types of meat and related products in the existing market needs strict government monitoring. The structural flow of meat in Pakistan continues in its traditional forms, but nevertheless continues to keep pace with the demands of the Pakistan and Afghanistan. The developing meat industry is facing many emerging problems including diseases, energy crisis and distress sales during disasters, corruption, and government policy. On the whole, the people of Pakistan are conscious about Halal, Healthy and Hygienic (3Hs) meat at a low price. The following paper reviews the current status of poultry meat and its products in this region.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, GIS, IJS, KISLJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
Bovine cysticercosis caused by Taenia saginata is a zoonotic disease affirming routine inspection measures for the postmortem detection of cysticerci (cysts) in beef destined for human consumption. ...Detection is based on gross examination of traditional carcase predilection sites; although there is evidence to suggest that examination of other sites may offer improvements in sensitivity. In the current study, a biomolecular-based assay was employed to confirm and differentiate T saginata cysticercosis from other comparable parasitic infection in cattle carcases. Out of 7371 cattle carcases routinely inspected, 72 (0.97 per cent) were initially detected, from which 57 (79.16 per cent), 11(15.27 per cent) and 4 (5.55 per cent) were recorded in masseter muscle, heart and diaphragm, respectively. The PCR assay was also conducted to confirm different stages of the cysts, being able to detect the cyst, and to discriminate its various degenerative stages with other parasitic structures. The technique was proposed as a reliable tool to differentiate the cysticerci and, thus, could be used in further epidemiological studies as there was no difference in view of negative PCR results in lesions found by routine inspection.
Full text
Available for:
FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The routine meat inspection procedure for bovine cysticerosis involves visual inspection of the cut muscles of the split carcase and at several predilection sites after incision (internal and ...external masseter muscles, tongue, heart and diaphragm) of bovine carcases over six weeks of age (Regulation (EC) No: 854/2004). The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence of C bovis cases within Northern Ireland, to analyse the differences in the recorded number of cases of C bovis across Northern Ireland over the past decade, and to ascertain whether or not there is any difference in the number of cases of C bovis detected in Abattoir A compared with the other abattoirs since the change in technique. A search of the Animal Public Health Information System (APHIS described in detail by Houston 2001 ) generated data on the recorded number of cases of C bovis in the 10 bovine slaughterhouses in Northern Ireland between 2001 and 2011. ...assigning a specific reason for a particular brief increase in detection rates in one abattoir using secondary data becomes virtually impossible without further data, such as the carcase site the lesions were found at.
Full text
Available for:
FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Increased consumers´ demand for game meat is driven by various motivations. In order to fulfil this demand for safe, wholesome and nutritious meat, management of wild game and establishment of ...adequate supply chains are required. Identification and assessment of hazards of biological and non-biological origin help to design and implement effective control measures. This requires cooperation of the stakeholders, of food safety authorities and scientists. Game meat safety extends from the wildlife-human interface to wildlife-livestock interactions, as regards transfer of pathogenic agents or transfer of residues. Thus, assurance of game meat hygiene is a multidisciplinary task, and involves tackling a variety of safety and quality issues for a number of species under diverse living conditions and modes of harvesting. This is reflected in the contents of this volume, with 19 contributions on free-living or farmed game and on invasive species, namely the warthog in South Africa. This volume is the third in a series on safety and quality assurance along the game meat chain, following a 'from forest to fork' approach. Like its predecessors, it is targeted at scientists in academia and industry, graduate students as well as to governmental officials in veterinary public health and food safety.
