Scientific and societal relevancies

In spite of progress in slaughter technology and food hygiene, the WHO has estimated that up to 30,3% of people in industrialized countries suffer from a food borne illness each year.

In order to decrease this percentage by using the preventive measure and the corrective action we need to know more about the biological hazards in abattoir.

Innovative aspects:

Although the occurrence of biological hazards (and particularly Staphylococcus aureus) in poultry plants industry has been known since decades, the hazards in poultry plants industry have not yet been fully characterized.

At the end of the research more information will be known about the biological hazards. This information will be used to develop techniques to reduce or /and prevent sick leave in poultry industry plant personnel and this project will in the end lead to advice to build new slaughterhouses with safe environments to slaughterhouse employees.

Air sampler (Andersen sampler) and genotyping identification.

Publications of related research:

• Berends, B.R. van Knapen, F. and Snijders, J.M.A., "Suggestions for the construction, analysis and use of descriptive epidemiological models for the modernization of meat inspection", Intern. journal of food microbiology 30(1-2 ), June 1996, 27-36
• Berends, B.R., van Knapen, F., Snijders, J.M.A. and Mossel, D.A.A., "Identification and quantification of risk factors regarding Salmonella spp. on pork carcasses", Intern. journal of food microbiology 36(2-3), May 20, 1997, 199-206
• Nauta, M.J. and Havelaar, A.H., "Risk-based standards for Campylobacter in the broiler meat chain", Food control 19(4), April 2008, 372-381