Effect of Processing on Bacteria Associated with Turkey Giblets

Abstract

THE effect of flowing water in reducing bacterial populations on the surfaces of poultry has been demonstrated by several workers. Gunderson et al. (1946) found that washing birds after they were eviscerated reduced the total bacterial count, but did not eliminate coliforms. According to May (1961), the transfer station for moving chicken carcasses from the picking to the evisceration line was the most consistent source of increases in bacterial counts, probably because there were no hand washing facilities at this station. He also found that final washing by a spray washer after evisceration reduced total counts significantly. Kotula et al. (1962) noted that a significant decrease occurred in bacterial populations on the skin of chickens chilled in a continuous counterflow-tumbler chiller. This was believed to be due to the fact that fresh coolant was added to the chill unit and water overflowed continuously from the chiller, resulting in dilution and…