The Animal Protein Producers Industry (APPI) revised policy for sample collection and testing to determine sanitary/hygienic in-plant processing and the incidence of Salmonella has shown interesting and encouraging results for the period.
A macro-assessment, exclusive of blending operations, indicates that the total number of samples analyzed for the first two quarters of 2002 was 4,931, of which 160, or three percent, were Salmonella positive. This reflects a first quarter submission of 2,496 with 90 positives, and a second quarter submission of 2,435 with 70 positives.
There were variances by category from one percent positive for independent renderers to five percent positive for packer renderers, but the overall average of three percent is more impressive than many food materials examined for different genera of bacteria, including Salmonella.
Even the factoring of protein blenders and renderer/blender into the overall profile indicates that of a total (all categories) considered for testing submissions, the percentage of positive based on a total of 5,889 samples were 556 positive, or an average of nine percent.
The results clearly indicate the commitment of the rendering industry to control Salmonella in animal protein meals. Equally interesting is the fact based on research findings that the most probable numbers for Salmonella organisms in processed protein meals are low and can be maintained at these low levels by eliminating moisture and other potential contaminants by adapting a quality assurance program using Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point principles.
October 2002 Render