BREEDER POULTRY FARMS AS CRITICAL POINTS FOR FOOD SAFETY: MICROBIAL CONTAMINANT MAPPING AND SANITATION PROTOCOL ASSESSMENT

Abstract

Breeder poultry farms are considered critical in terms of food safety due to the potential for both vertical and horizontal transmission of microorganisms such as Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli, which are known agents of foodborne outbreaks and subject to mandatory reporting. To the best of our knowledge, recent literature lacks targeted studies addressing these microorganisms specifically within breeder facilities. Therefore, this study aimed to map the presence of microbial contaminants in a poultry breeder farm, correlating environmental conditions with the effectiveness of sanitation procedures. Environmental samples were collected following the application of sanitary protocols using two types of detergents, in order to evaluate their efficacy against various contaminants. Additionally, egg samples—both shell and contents—were analyzed for the quantification of total and thermotolerant coliforms, molds and yeasts, as well as the identification of E. coli and detection of Salmonella spp. The results indicated that although the disinfectants demonstrated partial efficacy, strict adherence to sanitation protocols contributed significantly to maintaining the environmental microbial load. This practice is essential for minimizing the spread of pathogens throughout the food production chain, thereby enhancing food safety and the quality of poultry products.