The use of microbiological surveys to evaluate the co-regulation of abattoirs in New South Wales, Australia

In order to develop a microbiological baseline of meat produced for domestic consumption in the state of New South Wales, chilled carcases were sampled from 16 abattoirs. Aerobic Plate Counts (APCs) and Escherichia coli counts were obtained from samples taken by sponging sites specified for each species in the Microbiological Guidelines to the Australian meat standard. On beef carcases the mean log10 APC/cm2 was 2.21 and E. coli was detected on 25% of carcases (mean log positives −0.61/cm2). For sheep carcases corresponding values were 2.4, 53% and log10 -0.06/cm2, respectively. For pig carcases values were 2.81, 63% and log10 -0.23/cm2, respectively. For skin-off goat carcases values were 1.15, 27% and log10 -0.38/cm2, respectively. In the present survey, levels of indicator bacteria on carcases processed via the co-regulatory system operated in Australia were similar to those established in surveys of abattoirs that operate the traditional system overseen by government inspectors.