Salmonella on feces, hides and carcasses in beef slaughter facilities in Venezuela

This study determined Salmonella prevalence at different stages during the slaughtering in three beef slaughter plants (A, B and C) located in the western region of Venezuela (Zulia and Lara states). Each facility was visited three times at monthly intervals, from the months October through December of 2006. Samples were collected from hides (n = 80), fecal grabs (n = 80) and carcasses (n = 80) at the phases of pre-evisceration, after-evisceration and pre-cooler at three sampling sites on the animals (rump, flank and brisket). Salmonella prevalence was higher on hides (36.3%) than on feces (13.8%) (P < 0.05). Differences among slaughter plants for overall Salmonella prevalence were observed (P = 0.001; A: 3.5%, B: 11.1%, C: 4.4%). From the isolated strains, Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica ser. Saintpaul, Salmonella ser. Javiana and Salmonella ser. Weltevreden were identified. Cattle feces and hides might be considered as important sources of Salmonella for carcass contamination at different slaughter stages. The presence of potentially pathogenic Salmonella serotypes at the slaughtering stages is an evidence of the circulation of this pathogen in the food environment; its presence could increase consumers' risks of infection if proper food handling and preparation techniques are not followed. These data should serve as a baseline for future comparisons in Salmonella prevalence on beef carcasses to be used by the government and industry in order to establish preventive measures and to better address the risks of Salmonella contamination.