Mobile poultry processing units: a safe and cost-effective poultry processing option for the small-scale farmer in the United States

Source of Water and Potential Sanitizers and Biological Antimicrobials for Alternative Poultry Processing Food Safety Applications

“…Due to growing interest in sustainable small-scale poultry farming there is a need for mobile processing systems due to the limitations of centralized processing facilities (Ollinger et al, 2005;Van Loo et al, 2013;O'Bryan et al, 2014). Zezima (2010) reported a 23% decrease in the number of slaughterhouses from 1992 to 2008 despite the growth of small-scale livestock farmers in the U.S. To fill this gap in the poultry processing chain, MPPUs have been used to logistically address geographical limitations of stationary centralized processing facilities, which can be several hundred miles away from some small-scale farmers (Ollinger et al, 2005;O'Bryan et al, 2014). Mobile poultry processing units can remedy this need and are described in detail in O'Bryan et al (2014).…”

“…These flocks can be processed for retail using systems such as mobile poultry processing units (MPPUs) described in research studies (Trimble et al, 2013;O'Bryan et al, 2017). Use of MPPUs for small scale pasture flocks is potentially advantageous, due to the limited scale of the operational production of these small farms and potential geographical distance from large-scale processing facilities (O'Bryan et al, 2014).…”

“…Studies have noted pathogenic Campylobacter and Salmonella within pasture and free-range flocks at higher or similar rates than traditional poultry farming (Avrain et al, 2003;Colles et al, 2008;Hanning et al, 2010). However, like other organically focused processing facilities, the intervention strategies for sanitation in the MPPUs are more limited compared to traditional poultry processing due to the more restrictive requirements for sanitizers and their practical usage within MPPUs (O'Bryan et al, 2014;National Organic Program, 2018). There are other factors to consider as well.…”

“…For instance, water usage, and therefore water-based sanitization, can be particularly limited in MPPUs as the inherent quality of the water, including source, pressure, and composition varies from location to location (United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service., 2010). While conventional production systems may use water extensively with an estimated 21 to 30 L per bird, and processors often integrate water use within their Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan, small-scale and mobile processing facilities are not necessarily afforded this possibility (Northcutt and Jones, 2004;O'Bryan et al, 2014;Sanitation Performance Standards Compliance Guide, 2016;Luján-Rhenals et al, 2017). This water limitation can be a challenge for ensuring contaminant-free products.…”

Application of Molecular Methods for Traceability of Foodborne Pathogens in Food Safety Systems

“…A classic example is the egg industry, where the political emphasis on animal welfare reforms has shifted to cage-free systems that, in turn, has had not only interstate consequences in the United States but international implications (De Reu et al, 2008;Windhorst, 2008Windhorst, , 2009Mench et al, 2011). Likewise, the popularity of organically produced foods and natural sources of food and food animals along with the growth in local farmers' markets has added to the complicated mosaic of food production with further emphasis on the origins of where food is produced and how it is marketed (Winter and Davis, 2006;O'Bryan et al, 2008O'Bryan et al, , 2014Ricke et al, 2012;Claeys et al, 2013). Likewise, the popularity of organically produced foods and natural sources of food and food animals along with the growth in local farmers' markets has added to the complicated mosaic of food production with further emphasis on the origins of where food is produced and how it is marketed (Winter and Davis, 2006;O'Bryan et al, 2008O'Bryan et al, , 2014Ricke et al, 2012;Claeys et al, 2013).…”