Summary

In this one-year project, we will compile information and supply evidence-based advice to the RIRDC with respect to the potential applications and effectiveness of food safety nanotechnologies in the chicken industry. Data will be gathered from site visits and scientist-industry interactions, published literature in the research and patent spheres, and insight into emerging R&D at CSIRO and elsewhere of potential relevance to food safety in the Australian Chicken Meat Industry. A preliminary assessment of efficacy and cost of antimicrobial nanoparticles in different meat contact formats (solid vs liquid) benchmarked against current industry standards will be included in the report. The identification of existing and emerging R&D applications of most promise to the Australian Chicken Meat Industry, combined with the development of new nano-based research and industry linkages, will allow the Chicken Meat RIRDC access to up-to-date evidence to inform their investments decisions on whether to “go or no go” in this space.

Program

Chicken Meat

Research Organisation

CSIRO

Objective Summary

There are three objectives within this one year project:

1. Gain an understanding of critical control points, challenges to chicken meat safety and assess opportunities for novel interventions through site visits of at least one large commercial chicken processor and 1-3 chicken industry SMEs and through discussions with operators and other relevant industry personnel identified in consultation with RIRDC-CMP,.
2. Conduct preliminary proof-of-concept experiments to benchmark the efficacy and relative cost of antimicrobial nanoparticles (silver, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide) against antimicrobial and/or technologies currently employed in the chicken industry to control Salmonella and Campylobacter in particular, as both solid/surface (i.e. plastics, coatings for equipment) and liquid (i.e. washes and sprays)
3. Complete one review, presented to the RIRDC as a report and/or peer-reviewed journal manuscript, of published literature (research and patent) relating to the general application of antimicrobial nanoparticles in the food industry, with a focus on (currently limited) publications specific to chicken meat. With reference made to insights gained during processing plant site visits, unpublished R&D investments, preliminary efficacy testing, and expert advice from the RIRDC, recommendations will be made as to where and how these novel nanotechnologies (including active and smart packaging, sensors for pathogen detection, and opportunities where nano meets digital disruption) may be most effectively applied in the chicken industry to mitigate Salmonella and Campylobacter burdens in chicken meat and on processing equipment.