Efficacy of intermittent decontamination treatments during processing in reducing the microbial load on broiler chicken carcass

Investigations were carried out to assess the efficacy of microbial deconta mination treatment at each step during processing of broiler chickens. Trea tments with acetic or lactic acid by dipping or spray washing with water co ntaining acid were the decontaminating techniques adopted. Addition of lact ic acid to scald water reduced the build up of the microbial load in scald water thus minimising the chances of cross contamination from scald water, as was evident from the lower microbial load on birds scalded in scald wate r with lactic acid. Acid treatment of carcasses by dipping after each step of processing reduced the microbial load on carcass surfaces. Spray washing of carcasses with water containing acetic or lactic acid after every step of processing reduced the microbial load considerably, compared to spray wa shing with water alone. Acid treatment at low concentrations did not affect the appearance of carcasses. It is concluded from the study that decontami nation by acid treatment either by dipping or spray washing with water cont aining acetic or lactic acid at every step of processing could minimise the cross contamination and thus improve the microbial quality of broiler carc asses. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.