Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and concentration of Salmonella in DTLN from the belly, ham, and shoulder and from ground pork.
Methods: A total of 240 DTLN, obtained from the ham (80), belly (80) and shoulder (80) of pork carcasses, and 80 ground pork samples were collected over a 7 month period from a commercial pork processing plant. DTLN were surface sterilized and minced. Salmonella were detected and enumerated by standard methods. A 12 ml portion of each homogenized DTLN was stored at 4°C for enumeration by hydrophobic grid membrane filtration in the event the sample was positive by enrichment.
Results: Overall, Salmonella was detected in 0.8% (2 of 240) of DTLN by enrichment; one positive sample was detected in a DTLN from the belly and one DTLN from the shoulder. The numbers of Salmonella were below the limit of detection by hydrophobic grid membrane filtration. Salmonella was not detected in ground pork samples.
Significance: In this study, the prevalence of Salmonella in DTLN in pork tissues for human consumption was very low; indicating that it could be a minor source of contamination in the production of ground pork. These findings provide important information for the pork industry to use when assessing the risks and benefits of removing DTLN from pork cuts and trimmings.