Investigations of presence of the coliforms, Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli 0157: H7 in the samples at the critical control points of abattoirs in Çanakkale

ABSTRACT The present study was carried out in three different abattoirs; Merkez, Ezine and Biga, between April 2002-July 2002 in Çanakkale. In this study, presence oîE.coli in carcasses (rump, flank, brisket areas) in hides and in the working environment of the abattoirs ( hands, clothes, knives, hatchets, waters) was investigated. In addition, the presence oîE.coli 0157.H7 in samples obtained from rectum was determined. E.coli OJ57:H7 was not found in 299 samples collected for this study. However, coliform group of microorganisms in 97 (%48.98), and E.coli in 83 (%41.91) carcas and hide samples were isolated from total of 198 samples. E.coli counts of cattle carcass samples in 5 samples were determined to exceed the tolerable limit. Moreover, coliform group of microorganisms in 23 (%46.93) samples and E.coli in 14 (%28.57) samples were isolated from total of 49 samples obtained from working environment specifically from hands, cloths, knives, hatchets of workers and from water used in the working area. In conclusion, it was determined that slaughtering process carried out in abattoirs investigated during the course of this study in Çanakkale do not meet the hygenic requirements. Proper surveillance and preventive measurements, such as Good Manifacturing Practice (GMP) and HACCP, should be undertaken to control contamination form hide to carças and to obtain hygienic requirements of workers and equipments before, during and at the end of slaughtering. Key Words: Abattoir, hygiene, E.coli 0157:H7, E.coli, coliform II