Prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni in two California chicken processing plants

Abstract

Two federally inspected California chicken processing plants participated in C. jejuni prevalence studies. Twelve sampling sites were included in each of four groups. Groups were based on bird age, scald water temperature, and plant sampled. Scald water temperatures of 60°C (140°F) did not contribute to a lower prevalence of C. jejuni in edible parts, as did temperatures of 53°C (127°F) and 49°C (120°F). The feather picker and chilling tank were areas of major cross-contamination. C. jejuni was isolated from 68% of the ready-for-market products. The organism was recovered from 60 to 100% of the ceca in the four groups, and some numbers in the fecal material exceeded 106/g. The level of C. jejuni in intestinal tracts seemed to correlate with the presence of the organism in the edible parts.