Índice de ocorrência e índice de sazonalidade ajustada de condenações de bovinos em um abatedouro frigorifico localizado no Triângulo Mineiro (2013-2020)

Abstract

The analysis of carcasses in the beef industry plays a crucial role in ensuring food quality and safety. With beef cattle farming being a key component of the Brazilian economy, it is essential to understand the challenges faced in sanitary inspection, especially regarding diseases such as tuberculosis, brucellosis, cysticercosis, severe lesions, and chemical contaminations. National legislation establishes strict criteria for the condemnation of cattle, aiming not only to meet regulatory requirements but also to play a vital role in protecting consumer health and preserving the quality of animal-origin products. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the occurrence index and adjusted seasonal index of condemnations of beef carcasses from a slaughterhouse located in the Triângulo Mineiro region, from 2013 to 2020. Monthly data on slaughtered cattle, condemned carcasses (total and partial), and their destinations were collected to calculate the Condemnation Occurrence Index (IOC) and the Adjusted Seasonal Index (ISA), with results compared using the chi-square test (P < 0.05). It was observed that 1.57% of the cattle carcasses slaughtered during the analyzed period suffered some type of condemnation. Among the 50 analyzed causes of condemnation, eight stood out, representing 92% of the total condemnations. Contamination was the main reason, contributing 38.1% of the condemnations. Among the top five causes, only contamination showed a change in trend over the studied period, with an increase in the Condemnation Occurrence Index (IOC) from January 2017 onwards. Regarding the analysis of the Adjusted Seasonal Index (ISA), significant differences were observed between months only for abscesses, with August showing a higher ISA compared to February and December (P < 0.05). In comparing ISA values, considering the expected annual average, causes such as bruising, abscess, and tuberculosis showed variations, indicating that measures can be taken to rationalize the work of the inspection team.