Abstract
The bacteria on the surface of slaughtered meat was monitored to investigate the relationships between microbiological quality and sanitation management in slaughter process of cattle and pig. It was conducted to evaluate the microbiological quality on the surface of slaughtered beef and pork in Seoul from January to December 2004. Two hundred and thirty three beef and 233 pork carcasses were surveyed on generic E coli counts and standard plate count for microbiological quality and Salmonella spp, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens and E coli O157: H7 as pathogenic microorganisms. The prevalence of the excellent or good grade $(10^4\;CFU/cm^2)$ in beef and pork carcasses were $100\%\; and\;99.2\%$, respectively. The frequency of beef carcasses with less than $10^2\;CFU/cm^2$ of generic I coli counts was $100\%$, while that of pork carcasses was $99.6\%$. Of 233 beef carcasses, $1(0.42\%)$ was contaminated with L monocytogenes and $6(2.58\%)$ with C perfringens. Of 233 pork carcasses, $11(4.72\%),\;2(0.86\%),\;and\;2(0.86\%)$ were contaminated with L monocytogenes, C perfringens, and S aureus, respectively, Salmonella spp and E coli O157:H7 were not detected with all of the beef and pork carcasses. In conclusion, this study emphasized the Importance of relationship between microbiological quality and sanitation management in slaughter process of cattle and pig, in abattoirs.