Microbiological Aspects of Counter Current Scalding

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Abstract
A study was conducted in a commercial broiler processing plant to investigate the microbiological effect of dual-phase counter current scalding. During a two-week period, microbiological samples were collected at four sampling locations on a processing line with conventional scalding and on a similar line with counter current scalding (this line also had a post-scald rinse). At the post-scald location, total aerobic organisms, coliforms, and E. coli were significantly lower in samples collected from birds exiting the counter current scalder. At this location, incidence of Salmonella spp. was also significantly reduced by counter current scalding. However, at the post evisceration and post chill sampling locations microbiological counts on carcasses from the two scald lines were not significantly different. Counter current scalding is microbiologically justified and should be used in combination with other hygienically improved modifications to improve the microbiological condition of raw processed poultry.