A recent review of control methods for pathogens in beef has identified three key interventions—high herd health status, good management, and biosecurity.
In this article, the authors discuss the mechanisms by which food safety can be improved on the farm, along with some of the treatments that are effective today and likely will be available in the near future.
Researchers are harnessing a still-developing field of study, microgenomics, to limit pathogens in the pre-harvest stage of cattle, while common sense methods are still being used to protect poultry.
After a series of salmonellosis outbreaks linked to ground beef that occurred annually from 2011 to 2013, FSIS released a two-year Salmonella action plan that contained 10 objectives or activities, including: "Explore the contribution of lymph nodes to Salmonella contamination" and "Pre-harvest related activities."
A variety of pre-harvest interventions can significantly reduce the risk that bacteria harmful to humans will infect food animals.
July 24, 2017
Wider use of evidence-based food safety interventions on farms and feedlots would significantly reduce the risk of people getting sick from contaminated meat and poultry, according to a report released The Pew Charitable Trusts, Philadelphia.
Consumers increasingly demand antibiotic-free meat and poultry. So how do processors prevent contamination during the pre-harvest stage without using this common antimicrobial?