Biofilm and disinfection in meat processing plants

Like other food branches the meat industry is met by increasing demands to cleaning and disinfection in order to remove microbial coatings such as biofilm. A crucial point is, however, to document the presence of bacteria in biofilm on processing equipment. This paper describes an indirect way to detect foodborne biofilms on visually clean equipment surfaces. If at all possible, elimination of biofilm-bound bacteria on processing equipment is an arduous task. If the biofilm is established, it is not removed in daily sanitation unless extra actions are employed. Various methods such as mechanical treatment as well as extra disinfection have been investigated in practice. The results show that a reduction in bacterial load could be achieved, but at present neither one single method nor one single chemical completely eliminated the microorganisms. In conclusion, in order to minimise biofilm-bound bacteria on processing equipment, the critical sites should be identified and paid full attention to during sanitation. Further, the right choice and usage of cleaners and disinfectants as well as an adequate sanitation programme must be thoroughly considered.