The results of this study suggest that the majority of Campylobacter
carcass contamination in poultry processing plants occurs in
the early stages of the slaughtering process, by Campylobacter
strains deriving from the intestines of that particular batch, most
probably during the defeathering process. Consequently, it is expected
that introduction of appropriate anti-contamination measures
and/or adequate technological solutions at this stage of
slaughtering procedure could reduce considerably the contaminating
Campylobacter numbers at all succeeding processing stages
and contribute to lower Campylobacter risk for the consumer. In the
evisceration room, the beneficial effect of intensive carcass water
cleansing has been confirmed, as well as an important reduction of
Campylobacter contamination levels during the cooling and/or
freezing step. The possibility of accumulation of contaminating
campylobacters on the slaughter line needs to be further investigated.
Differences in processing technologies and practices used by
diverse slaughterhouses might influence Campylobacter carcass
contamination dynamics and should be considered before specific
anti-contamination measures are introduced