Acidified sodium chlorite antimicrobial treatment of broiler carcasses

An acidified sodium chlorite (ASC) solution was investigated for its antimi crobial effects on broiler carcasses processed under conditions similar to those used in U.S. commercial poultry facilities. Of particular interest wa s the ability of the ASC solution to reduce natural bioburden in a prechill procedure. A number of parameters such as pretreatment washing of carcasse s with water (no wash versus water wash), ASC concentration (500, 850, and 1,200 ppm), method of application (spray versus dip), and method of acid ac tivation (phosphoric acid versus citric acid) were explored to evaluate dis infection conditions. ASC dip solutions (18.9 liters) were freshly prepared for groups of five prechill eviscerated carcasses per treatment (n = 10 ca rcasses). ASC treatment was shown to be an effective method for significant ly reducing naturally occurring microbial contamination on carcasses. Reduc tions following immersion dipping were demonstrated at all disinfectant con centrations for total aerobes (82.9 to 90.7%), Escherichia coli (99.4 to 99 .6%), and total coliforms (86.1 to 98.5%). Additionally, testing showed tha t ASC solutions maintained stable pH and minimal chlorite ion concentration deviations throughout each treatment. The results of the parameter evaluat ions indicated that maximal antimicrobial activity was achieved in carcasse s that were prewashed and then exposed to a 5-s dip in a solution containin g phosphoric acid- or citric acid-activated ASC. At 1,200 ppm ASC, a mild b ut transitory whitening of the skin was noted on dipped carcasses. The resu lts support the methods currently approved by the U.S. Department of Agricu lture for the use of ASC solutions as a prechill antimicrobial intervention in U.S. poultry processing plants.