MICROBIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF MEAT WHOLESALE PREMISES AND BEEF CARCASES IN JOHANNESBURG

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 48  (4) , 255-260
Abstract
Microbiological surveillance by swabbing meat wholesaler premises revealed ineffective cleaning and build-up of bacteria . Proper cleaning, sanitation and handling resulting in a vast improvement during 1975-77 [in Johannesburg, South Africa]. Beef samples from the neck of carcasses in the wholesale trade were investigated by microbiological methods. Excessive total bacterial counts were obtained from numerous carcasses. Most carcasses carried coliform organisms. Roughly 90% of carcasses were contaminated with Escherichia coli I; counts exceeded 103/g in 18% of carcasses tested. Twenty serotypes of Salmonella were identified. Salmonella contamination decreased from nearly 5% in 1975 to less than 0.5% in 1977, and Staphylococcus aureus contamination decreased from 52% to 30% during the same period. Approximately 30% of carcasses revealed contamination with unidentified clostridial species. The results indicate the need for stricter control over the production and slaughter of animals and over the handling of carcasses in the wholesale trade.

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