Study exposes Salmonella-contamination risks of integrated broiler production

Robust strains survive through processing
calendar icon 30 November 2022
clock icon 1 minute read

Integrated broiler producers in Europe pose a risk of transmitting and maintaining clones of Salmonella throughout the production chain, according to researchers in Spain.

In a study, scientists intensively sampled a company slaughterhouse throughout processing and used genotypic characterization techniques to analyze Salmonella isolates. A total of 504 samples were collected from points including feces, environmental surfaces, neck skin and the internal cavities of the birds.

From these samples, 45% were positive for Salmonella. The scientists found very high genetic similarity between strains found on incoming flocks, during the slaughter process and on carcasses, while over 98% of positive samples were S. Enteritidis, with the remaining testing positive for S. Kentucky.

“Considering that the same genotypes could be isolated from different farms, owned by the same integrated company, it strongly suggests a cross-contamination throughout the broiler supply chain,” the scientists said.

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