Campylobacter Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Campylobacter, including details on food poisoning, infection, symptoms, treatment.

Effect of acidified sodium chlorite treatment on chicken carcases processed in South Australia.

Sexton M, Raven G, Holds G, Pointon A, Kiermeier A, Sumner J

Meat Hygiene Unit, Primary Industries and Resources, 33 Flemington Street, Glenside, Adelaide 5065, Australia. sexton.margaret2@saugov.sa.gov.au

A trial on the effectiveness of acidified sodium chlorite (ASC) on Salmonella and Campylobacter was undertaken on chicken carcases after they exited the screw chiller of a commercial premises in Adelaide, Australia. On untreated carcases mean log10 total viable count (25 degrees C) was 2.78/cm2 compared with 1.23/cm2 on treated carcases. Prevalence of E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter was 100%, 90% and 100% respectively, on untreated carcases and 13%, 10% and 23% respectively, on treated carcases. The distributions of E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter (mean log10 of positive samples) from untreated carcases were 1.55, -1.80 and 1.59/cm2 respectively, and -0.64, -1.85 and -2.21/cm2 respectively, on treated carcases. On untreated carcases S. Sofia and S. Infantis were isolated from 73% and 37% of carcases, respectively; only S. Sofia was isolated from treated carcases. The significant reductions in both prevalence and concentration demonstrated in the present trial indicate that ASC is a risk management option immediately available to the poultry industry.

Published 13 March 2007 in Int J Food Microbiol, 115(2): 252-5.
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