Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine Salmonella prevalence on beef hides and subsequent contamination of carcasses at a municipal abattoir in Merida, Mexico.
Methods: Hide and carcass (pre- and post-evisceration on the foreshank) samples were collected using a spongescicle hydrated with buffered peptone water (BPW) and transported back to the U.S. Salmonella was detected using standard protocols for the Dupont Qualicon BAX®system. Positive samples were isolated using traditional culture methods and confirmed via agglutination.
Results: A total of 687 samples were collected from the 3 sample locations on the beef carcass over a 3-year span. Salmonella was identified on 64.3% of these samples, with the highest prevalence found on hides (n = 231) at 8.4% (95% CI = 7.9, 8.9), followed by pre-evisceration (n = 231) at 6.0% (95% CI = 5.3, 6.6), and post-evisceration (n = 227) at 4.9% (95% CI = 4.2, 5.5). Salmonella was recovered in all seasons; however, the spring season represented the highest Salmonella prevalence at 8.2% (95% CI = 7.5, 8.7).
Significance: High prevalence of Salmonella contamination was observed in the abattoir environment, indicating a serious risk of Salmonella entry into the food chain. This study demonstrates the necessity of implementing food safety programs for Mexico’s beef industry and, more specifically, the need for microbiological interventions in the abattoir environment.