Trial shows chicken crates reduce CampylobacterCampylobacters are known to contaminate the crates used to transport birds from farms to processing plants, which can then cross-contaminate unrelated flocks, passing bacteria from bird to bird.
This transmission is believed to contribute to the continued source of infection and contamination in the poultry industry.
Anglia Autoflow, the UK's leading supplier of poultry transportation crates, has introduced a new range of crates with BioCote® antimicrobial protection, to help reduce the numbers of Campylobacters being transported around the poultry rearing and processing system.
BioCote Ltd has carried out a trial to investigate the effect BioCote® had on the numbers of Campylobacters contaminating chicken transportation crates. In the trial BioCote Ltd compared the levels of bacteria and Campylobacters contaminating standard crates to those found on BioCote®-treated crates. Swabs were collected in triplicate from ten treated and ten untreated crates at key points throughout the crate decontamination process: pre-wash (once the live birds were removed), post-wash, post-sanitisation and then 1 hour, 2 hours and 3 hours post-sanitisation (representing when the crates were re-circulated to pick up new flocks).
At all points of the decontamination process BioCote®-treated crates were shown to be considerably less contaminated with bacteria than standard crates. Results suggest that BioCote® protection is sustainable throughout the cycle of the crates, from contact with flocks, through to the decontamination process and re-contact with the flocks.
At all points of the decontamination process there were fewer Campylobacters detected contaminating the treated crates compared to untreated crates. At the end of the decontamination process, when crates make contact with new flocks, there was considerably less Campylobacters present on BioCote®-treated crates compared to standard ones. Of the 90 swabs taken from both crate types, 44 from the untreated crates contained Campylobacters, compared to only one from the BioCote®-treated crates. With less Campylobacters contaminating the crates when they make contact with flocks, these results suggest that BioCote® can help reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
The increase in total bacterial counts, including Campylobacter, on standard crates one hour after sanitisation indicates that this cleaning process had no long-term decontamination effect. In contrast, counts of total bacteria continued to decrease on BioCote®-treated crates for the duration of the sampling. With cleaning and sanitisation ineffective in eradicating Campylobacters, BioCote® could act as an additional decontamination solution, being more effective than cleaning alone.
The trial shows how BioCote® protection can help reduce the risk of cross contamination during the poultry transportation process. By reducing the levels of Campylobacters being transported around the poultry rearing and processing system the risks of Campylobacters outbreaks faced by farmers and food processors are reduced.
The results of this trial have implications for the food processing industry as they suggest there is potential to incorporate BioCote® into other products used in food production to assist in reducing the risks of cross contamination.
Further information about BioCote® protected products in the food and catering sector
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