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The aim of the study was to evaluate performance for beef carcass grading using a novel semi-automatic method compared to human classifiers. The novelty was measuring carcass length as a predictor. The grading is given as conformation and fat cover as defined by the EUROP classification system. A training set was used to fit the model with predictors based on weight, age, breed and sex, in addition to length. Prediction performance was evaluated for a test set including carcasses graded by Norwegian classifiers, and a separate test set for carcasses graded by international classifiers. The precision for conformation was high (Pearson correlation ≥ 0.94) for both test sets, but the precision for fat cover was lower (Pearson correlation range 0.30–0.91). High correlation for conformation, together with low bias estimates, provides indication that the objective method is equipped to replace the previous human classifier system for conformation in Norway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the prevalence of Salmonella enterica subspecies diarizonae serovar 61:k:1,5,(7) (S. IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7)) in 133 Norwegian sheep herds from throughout the country. We used a nested case-control study to identify major risk factors. Two pooled samples (one from lambs and one from adult sheep) were collected from each herd from (10 different) abattoirs. The regional prevalence varied from 0 to 45%, and was more prevalent in adults than in lambs. Sixteen of the 133 herds tested positive to S. IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7), and these positive herds were included in the questionnaire-based nested case-control part of the study. The controls were stratified according to abattoir. Above-median herd size, having white crossbreed sheep, and higher annual replacement percentage were the most evident risk factors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Campylobacter is an important foodborne pathogen as it is associated with significant disease burden across Europe. Among various sources, Campylobacter infections in humans are often related to the consumption of undercooked poultry meat or improper handling of poultry meat. Many European countries have implemented measures to reduce human exposure to Campylobacter from broiler meat. In this paper, surveillance programs implemented in some European countries is summarized. Our findings reveal that many European countries test neck skin samples for Campylobacter as per the Process Hygiene Criterion (PHC) set by the European Regulation. Variations to the legal plan are seen in some countries, as in Norway and Iceland, where weekly sampling is performed during infection peak periods only, or in Iceland, where the Campylobacter limit is set at 500 CFU/g instead of 1000 CFU/g. Furthermore, northern European countries have implemented national Campylobacter surveillance plans. Denmark tests cloaca and leg skin samples at the slaughterhouses and meat samples at the retail, while Finland, Norway, and Sweden test caeca at slaughterhouses. In contrast, Iceland tests feces on farms. Iceland and Norway test flocks close to the slaughter date and when a farm tests positive, competent authority implement measures such as logistic slaughter, heat treatment or freeze the meat from these flocks. In Iceland, frozen meat is further processed prior to being put on the market. While the incidence of campylobacteriosis has declined in all European countries except France since the introduction of PHC in 2018, it is uncertain whether this decrease is due to prevalence reduction or underreporting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future investigations with more comprehensive data, devoid of potential confounding factors, are necessary to validate this potential trend. However, it is evident that the implementation of national action plans can be successful in reducing the incidence of human campylobacteriosis, as demonstrated by Iceland. • Campylobacter in broiler meat is an important source of human infection. • All the European countries follow EU regulation for Campylobacter monitoring. • Nordic countries have a well-defined plan for tackling Campylobacter in broiler meat chain. • The most strict measure implemented is in Iceland, where meat from C ampylobacter positive flocks is frozen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of hot-water immersion, at different water temperatures and exposure times, on the microbiological loads on broiler carcasses. The combinations tested were 70 °C for 3 s, 80 °C for 3 s and 6 s, and 90 °C for 3 s. The separate effects of immersion in 5% lactic acid at 15 °C for 3 s and the on-line cold-water spray carousel on microbiological loads were also investigated. The study was conducted at a commercial broiler abattoir in Norway, where 110 carcasses were collected directly from the slaughter line after evisceration but before the cold-water carousel and brought to a separate room for immersion testing and microbiological sampling. Each carcass was assessed for skin injuries and discoloration post treatment, and sampling was by whole carcass rinse. Skin damage following hot-water treatment was not observed. A white coating developed on the skins of carcasses treated with 5% lactic acid after drying. For untreated carcasses, total plate count (TPC) mean was 4.9 log cfu/ml and E. coli mean was 4.0 log cfu/ml. Mean TPC were significantly lower (by 1.0–1.1 log cfu/ml) for carcasses immersed in hot water at 80 °C (3 and 6 s) and 90 °C. Only immersion in 80 °C for 6 s significantly reduced the E. coli mean (by 1.1 log cfu/ml). Immersion in 5% lactic acid reduced TPC by 4.0 log cfu/ml and E. coli by 3.9 log cfu/ml, with 9 of 10 samples below the detection level for E. coli. The cold-water carousel resulted in an insignificant reduction in TPC and E. coli levels. In conclusion, immersion for 6 s in 80 °C was the most effective hot-water treatment. Although lactic acid immersion is more effective, it is currently not permitted to use on broiler carcasses in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Good process hygiene in broiler slaughter is paramount to achieve safe products with long shelf-lives. Here we investigated changes in bacterial load and diversity on chicken carcasses at selected stages on slaughtering lines in two abattoirs in Norway. Carcasses included in the study, came from flocks that had been classified as either positive or negative for Campylobacter. In total, 120 neck-skins were collected at four sampling points: before scalding, after plucking, after evisceration, and after chilling. The bacterial load was analyzed at each sampling point using quantitative and qualitative cultivation while the bacterial composition was determined using amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Bacterial loads on carcasses decreased along the slaughter line by 2.1, 1.1, 1.1, and 1.0 log cfu per g for Total Plate Counts (TPC), Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli , and Campylobacter , respectively. The largest reduction was observed after washing and chilling. For TPC, a large reduction was also observed after scalding and plucking. Scalding water samples had low amounts of E. coli and were negative for Campylobacter. Only a weak statistical association was found between indicator counts and Campylobacter. The 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing results showed a more diverse bacterial community at the start of the slaughter line, dominated by Staphylococcus , Escherichia - Shigella, and Streptococcus, which altered to a less-diverse community, dominated by Asinibacterium spp. , Afipia spp. , Pseudomonas, Polaromonas , and Psychrobacter after chilling. Both abattoirs were assessed as low risk by a new categorization method. This study contributes to identify factors that increases and decreases levels of Campylobacter and other bacteria during slaughter and should enable the implementation of control measures and thus improve meat safety. • Bacterial communities were identified along the slaughter lines. • Bacterial loads on broiler carcasses decreased by 1–2 log/g along slaughter lines. • Air-chilling without use of water reduced Campylobacter. • Scalding reduced total plate count by > 1 log/g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lean meat percentage (LMP) classification in Norwegian slaughterhouses is obtained by Hennessy Grading Probe 7 (HGP7), an optical tool. Even though the HGP7 method is validated frequently, there is industrial and legislative demand to reconsider the applied LMP equation, typically due to the introduction of new breeds. A deboning pilot plant generates precise yield data using cutting and deboning stratified pork carcasses by a specific commercial cutting pattern (CCP) at an annual rate of approximately 250 slaughter pigs. This paper shows how results obtained by CCP can be used to measure LMP in pork and how these results can be used for monitoring the quality of LMP predicted by HGP7. The effect of gender, maternal- and paternal lines on validity of HGP7 predictions was evaluated. The effect of introducing a new maternal line (TN70) seems to be substantial, whereas the effects of the tested paternal lines are small to negligible., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The aim was to compare the effects of two evisceration methods under operational conditions, on the pelvic hygiene of sheep carcasses. Method 1: rectum sealed with plastic bag and pushed through the pelvic cavity. Method 2: rectum cut, placed back inside and pulled out from the carcass. The 18 largest Norwegian sheep abattoirs participated. Sampling areas were i) 400cm 2 inside the pelvic cavity (n=623), ii) 100cm 2 outside the circum-anal incision (n=622). There were pooled samples by swabbing the same area of five carcasses, representing totally 3115 carcasses. Mean E. coli results from Method 1: -1.61logCFU/cm 2 inside and -0.25logCFU/cm 2 for the outside area. Results from Method 2: -1.56logCFU/cm 2 inside and -0.42logCFU/cm 2 outside. There were no significant differences between the two methods. Both evisceration methods can produce carcasses that are of practically identical high hygienic quality., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The agreements between various culturing-method combinations and specimens to detect sheep naturally infected by Salmonella enterica IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7) were tested. Rectal swabs, faecal samples and ileo-caecal lymph nodes were collected from each individual. Rectal swabs called "group I" (n = 54) were cultured directly on selective media (selenite cysteine, SC). Rectal swabs called "group II" (n = 47) were pre-incubated in buffered peptone water. The four other combinations of culturing-method and specimen (one lymph node and three faecal) in each of the two groups were cultured directly on SC. The results from all the combinations of method and specimens were compared to the result from the rectal-swab test by kappa and McNemar's chi-square. Kappas for the agreement between rectal swabs and faecal sample tests were only 0.4. The lymph-node test agreed even-more poorly, with mean kappa value -0.02. The McNemar's test revealed that the discordancies between the rectal-swab test and all of the other tests went in both directions but sometimes did show bias (directionality) in the discordancies.

Fifty randomly selected sheep flocks from a region in central Norway were sampled in December 1999 to determine the flock prevalence of Salmonella enterica subspecies diarizonae serovar 61:k:1,5,(7) (S. IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7)). From each flock, 15-41 rectal swabs were collected from individual sheep of different age groups and examined for S. IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7). Positive flocks were visited again in January-April and each time, rectal swabs from the same animals were collected and examined for this specific serovar. Seven flocks (14%; 95% CI 6.3-27%) were positive for S. IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7) in December; in all, 10 sheep out of the 1233 (0.8%) were positive at the first sampling. From the seven positive flocks, six, five, six, and nine animals were positive in January, February, March, and April, respectively. Of the total 21 individual sheep tested positive from January to April, 15 were >2 years old (OR(ex)=3.26; 1.1-10.2). Six out of the seven positive flocks were large flocks (>117 ewes). Sharing of rams between flocks did not seem to be a risk factor for the presence of S. IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7) in a flock.