A comparison of two evisceration methods on hygienic quality in the pelvic area of sheep carcasses

The aim was to compare the effects of two evisceration methods under operational conditions, on the pelvic hygiene of sheep carcasses. Method 1: rectum sealed with plastic bag and pushed through the pelvic cavity. Method 2: rectum cut, placed back inside and pulled out from the carcass. The 18 largest Norwegian sheep abattoirs participated. Sampling areas were i) 400 cm2 inside the pelvic cavity (n = 623), ii) 100 cm2 outside the circum-anal incision (n = 622). There were pooled samples by swabbing the same area of five carcasses, representing totally 3115 carcasses. Mean E. coli results from Method 1: − 1.61 log CFU/cm2 inside and − 0.25 log CFU/cm2 for the outside area. Results from Method 2: − 1.56 log CFU/cm2 inside and − 0.42 log CFU/cm2 outside. There were no significant differences between the two methods. Both evisceration methods can produce carcasses that are of practically identical high hygienic quality.