Effect of slaughterhouse hygienic practices on the bacterial contamination of chicken meat

This study consists of a survey to assess the level of compliance with good hygiene practices (GHP) in poultry slaughterhouses in the Biskra region (Algeria) and an assessment of the microbiological quality of poultry carcasses for the consumption. A total of 60 carcasses collected from 6 abattoirs have been microbiological analyzed. The study focused on bacterial count of the total mesophilic aerobic flora (FAMT) and enumeration of fecal Coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella qualitative research. These analyzes were made according to the French National Organization for Standardization (AFNOR). Survey results showed two categories of slaughtering, the first category represent 16.67% of the poultry carcasses studied is characterized by the observance of principles and standards for slaughter while the second one represent 83.33% of the poultry carcasses and characterized by unsatisfactory hygienic practices. The prevalence of infection by Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus at 6 slaughterhouses was 50% and 46.66% respectively. The average contamination for total mesophilic aerobic flora (FAMT), fecal coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus is approximately 5.0 log10 CFU / g and 2.18 log10 CFU / g and 1.08 log10 CFU / g, respectively. Statistical analyzes showed a significant impact of the hygienic conditions of the slaughter process on the hygienic quality of poultry carcasses.The application of good hygiene practices (GHP) and the implementation of HACCP in poultry slaughterhouses has become an absolute necessity.