CONTROLLING MICROBIAL-CONTAMINATION ON BEEF AND LAMB MEAT DURING PROCESSING

The microbiological quality of carcases, meat and environmental surfac es was evaluated in commercial boning rooms processing beef and lamb, There was considerable variation in the level of microbial contaminati on on both carcases and meat, with counts ranging from less than 20 to 10(8)/cm(2) on carcases and to 2 x 10(7)/cm(2) 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 con tamination was the major determinant of microbiological quality, as mo re than 70% of carcases had microbial counts greater than 10(3)/cm(2). Cutting boards were a major source for microbial dissemination during boning, particularly when carcase counts were less than 10(3)/cm(2). 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 s urfaces in the boning room resulted in a significant reduction in micr obial contamination on the surface of meat. These results can form the basis for ensuring that improvements made in carcase management befor e boning, to improve microbiological quality, will be preserved throug h attention to cutting board hygiene during boning.