Summary

Repeated microbiological surveys of whole chickens provide a benchmark for participating processing plants to assess the ongoing effectiveness of their food safety programs and a comparison to the industry as a whole. The national survey will provide a direct comparison to previous surveys conducted in 2008, 2009, 2013 and 2017. The project will report on the incidence and levels of Salmonella (including serotypes) and Campylobacter on whole chicken carcasses submitted to CSIRO. Individual plants will be provided with their results and a comparison to past surveys for their plant. Direct comparisons with previous surveys will be enabled due to repeat methodologies used. The final report will also include comparison to the FSANZ PHC

Program

Chicken Meat

Research Organisation

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

Objective Summary

The key objectives of this survey are
1. Test and report on the incidence and levels of Salmonella, Campylobacter and TVC on whole chicken carcasses submitted by participating plants
2. To provide participants with the current status, with respect to key pathogens, of their final product.
3. To make direct comparisons with results obtained in the previous national surveys, for the industry as a whole and for individual participating plants.