Efficacy of Various Antimicrobials on Reduction of Salmonella and Campylobacter and Quality Attributes of Ground Chicken Obtained from Poultry Parts Treated in a Postchill Decontamination Tank

Ground chicken is likely to have higher microbiological loads than whole carcasses and parts. Therefore, it is necessary to identify antimicrobials that reduce pathogens and overall microbial loads without negatively impacting meat quality. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the effect of various postchill antimicrobials on reducing Salmonella and Campylobacter, and determine the impact of these treatments on shelf life and quality attributes of ground chicken. Five treatments (0.003% chlorine, 0.07 and 0.1% peracetic acid [PAA], and 0.35 and 0.6%cetylpyridinium chloride [CPC]) were evaluated. Samples (n = 120) of skin-on chicken breast and thigh meat were inoculated with Salmonella Typhimurium (108 CFU/ml) and C. jejuni (108 CFU/ml). Following a 30-min attachment time, parts were rinsed with either chlorine, PAA, or CPC in a decontamination tank for 23 s. Parts then were ground, samples (25 g) were plated, and reduction of Salmonella Typhimurium and C. jejuni was determined. Noninoculated g...