Validation of chemical and non-chemical antimicrobial interventions applied pre- and post-chilling to reduce microbial populations in broiler carcasses

Higher risks of food-borne illness associated with increased consumption of poultry products make it necessary to identify potential sources of contamination and apply intervention strategies that will prevent or minimize the risk of contamination during processing. This study investigated the effects of chemical and natural decontamination treatments including sprayed application of acidified calcium sulfate (ACS) in combination with -polylysine (EPL), dry-rubbing kosher salt coating and molten paraffin wax dipping application on microbial populations of broiler carcasses and parts. Treatments were evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing the numbers of artificially inoculated rifampicin resistant Salmonella Typhimurium strain NVSL 95-1776 on the skin surface of bone-in chicken breasts. General model procedures were used to find statistical differences (P2 log reductions) were also observed in validation trials in both pre- and post-chilled samples when compared to non-treated pre- and post-chilled controls. Only for psychrotrophic counts, chilled and post-chill interventions did not have a significant effect (P>0.05). The use of molten paraffin wax caused