Foodborne salmonellae represent one of the better-understood
and studied pathogens for designing effective
intervention steps based on mechanisms that the organism
can potentially express. Given the breadth of knowledge
on Salmonella genetics and physiology, it has become
possible to study the stress and virulence characteristics
of this organism under antimicrobial intervention conditions.
Salmonella is commonly found in the gastrointestinal
tracts of animals and has been commonly associated
with foods such as raw meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy
products. Salmonella is usually thought to be spread by
the fecal-oral route. In the commercial broiler industry,
with a common turnover rate of 42 d, inadequate decontamination
can lead to several possible contamination
sites, such as litter, air, and feed (Humphrey, 2000)