Red Meat Products
The muscle tissue of healthy living animals are nearly free of microorganisms. Contamination of meat occur from the external suface,such as hair,skin,and the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. The animal’s white blood cell and the antibodies developed throughout their lives effectively control infectious agents in the living body. These internal defense mechanisms are destroyed when blood is removed during harvesting.
Initial microbial inoculation of meat result from the introduction of microorganisms into the vascular system when contaminated knives are used for exsanguiation. The vascular system rapidly disseminates these microorganisms throughout the body. Contamination subsequently occurs by the introduction of microoganisms on the meat surfaces in operations performed during slaughtering,cutting,processing,storage,and distribution of meat. Other contamination can occur by contact of the carcass with the hide,feet,manure,drit,and visceral contens from punctured digedtive organisms.