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Airborne microbial contaminants and indicator organisms were monitored within three poultry processing plants (plants A, B, and C). In total, 15 cubic feet (c.f.) of air was sampled per location during 15 visits to each plant and quantitatively analyzed for total mesophilic and psychrophilic aerobic counts, thermophilic campylobacters, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacteriaceae. The prevalence of Salmonella spp. in air samples was also evaluated. Significant reductions in total aerobic counts were observed between defeathering and evisceration areas of the three plants (P < 0.05). Mesophilic plate counts were highest in the defeathering areas of all plants compared to equivalent psychrophilic plate counts. Enterobacteriaceae counts were highest in the defeathering areas of all three plants with counts of log10 1.63, 1.53, and 1.18 CFU/15 c.f. recovered in plants A, B, and C, respectively. E. coli enumerated from air samples in the defeathering areas exhibited a similar trend to those obtained for Enterobacteriaceae with log10 1.67, 1.58, and 1.18 CFU for plants A, B, and C, respectively. Thermophilic campylobacters were most frequently isolated from samples in the defeathering areas followed by the evisceration areas. The highest mean counts of the organism were observed in plant A at 21 CFU/15 c.f. sample with plants B and C at 9 and 8 CFU/sample, respectively. With the exception of low levels of Enterobacteriaceae recovered from samples in the on-line air chill in plant A, E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae, or Campylobacter spp. were not isolated from samples in postevisceration sites in any of the plants examined. Salmonella spp. were not recovered from any samples during the course of the investigation.

We determined the effects of transportation distance and holding times at a commercial slaughter facility on excretion rates of Campylobacter spp. in broilers. Fecal samples from broilers in each of 10 flocks were obtained at the following three sampling points: at the farms, following transportation, and after holding at the plant. The farms examined were divided into two groups based on distances and transport times to the plant. The prevalence and levels of Campylobacter spp. were evaluated for all specimens taken at the three sampling points. A statistically significant increase in counts was observed in samples from both groups following transportation (P < 0.05). The resting period at the abattoir prior to slaughter did not significantly reduce rates of Campylobacter spp. shedding in the flocks examined. Differences in distance travelled and transport durations between the two groups was not found to be a statistically significant factor in altering excretion rates of the organism. The present study demonstrated that transport-induced stress increased shedding of Campylobacter spp. in fecal material of broilers that may subsequently result in extensive carcass contamination.

A qualitative risk assessment identified Salmonella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spp. as the most relevant biological hazards in the context of meat inspection of swine. A comprehensive pork carcass safety assurance is the only way to ensure their effective control. This requires setting targets to be achieved in/on chilled carcasses, which also informs what has to be achieved earlier in the food chain. Improved Food Chain Information (FCI) enables risk‐differentiation of pig batches (hazard‐related) and abattoirs (process hygiene‐related). Risk reduction measures at abattoir level are focused on prevention of microbial contamination through technology‐ and process hygiene‐based measures (GMP/GHP‐ and HACCP‐based), including omitting palpation/incision during post‐mortem inspection in routine slaughter, as well as hazard reduction/inactivation meat treatments if necessary. At farm level, risk reduction measures are based on herd health programmes, closed breeding pyramids and GHP/GFP. Chemical substances listed in Council Directive 96/23/EC were ranked into four categories. Dioxins, dioxin‐like polychlorinated biphenyls and chloramphenicol were ranked as being of high potential concern. However, chemical substances in pork are unlikely to pose an immediate or short term health risk for consumers. Opportunities for risk‐based inspection strategies by means of differentiated sampling plans taking into account FCI were identified. Regular update of sampling programmes and inclusion of inspection criteria for the identification of illicit use of substances were also recommended. Meat inspection is a key component of the overall surveillance system for pig health and welfare but information is currently under‐utilised. The changes proposed to the pig meat inspection system will lead to some reduction in the detection probability of diseases and welfare conditions. The difference is likely to be minimal for diseases/conditions that affect several organs. To mitigate the reduced detection probability, palpation and/or incision should be conducted as a follow‐up to visual inspection whenever abnormalities are seen.