Purpose: Examine Salmonella prevalence on carcasses in non-TIF beef packing plants in Mexico as affected by manager and employee training.
Methods: Organizational climate and food safety knowledge surveys were administered to the management and employees of two non-TIF plants. GMP audits were conducted, and microbial testing of carcasses served as baseline sampling for Salmonella contamination. Food safety training gaps were assessed using audits, surveys, and microbial data. Two trainings were provided with longitudinal data recorded following each session. The first workshop was administered to managers at both plants, while the second was provided for line workers at one plant. An average of 10 post-evisceration samples were taken from both plants at each of four seasons. The workshop for managers was conducted between the spring and summer collections. Line worker training in Plant 2 took place between summer and fall.
Results: Carcasses from Plant 2 had higher Salmonella prevalence rates than Plant 1. In the winter, Plant 2 prevalence was 68.5% higher than Plant 1; spring, 58.4%; summer, 68.7% and fall 38.0%. ANOVA indicates that the 38% difference in prevalence between Plants 1 and 2 in the fall after line worker training was significantly lower than the difference in prevalence at the other three data collection periods.
Significance: Management training had no impact on Salmonella prevalence, while line worker training reduced prevalence significantly. This knowledge can be used in future trainings to improve the safety of the Mexican food supply and reduce the incidence of foodborne illness.