Qualidade higiênico sanitária de carne bovina e sua relação com o moedor

Abstract

Beef is an excellent medium for the growth of microorganisms, due to its varied nutritional composition, close to neutral pH and high amount of water. The aim of this study was to qualitatively evaluate meat samples before and after passing through grinding machines in supermarkets and butchers, looking for coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. Six meat retail establishments were analyzed, with samples of minced beef hind muscle meat (before) and the same piece passed through the meat grinder (after), submitted to conventional microbiological analysis. In a total of 12 samples evaluated, 25% were contaminated. The presence of Gram-positive Staphylococcus coagulase positive bacteria was not detected, but the contamination occurred by Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli. It is concluded that poor hygiene of the environment and handlers compromises the meats leaving them susceptible to be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria.