Assessment of hygienic practices and faecal contamination of beef at Vingunguti slaughterhouse in Dar es salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

An investigation was conducted between January to February 2013 to assess the hygienic practices and faecal contamination of beef at Vingunguti slaughterhouse using Escherichia coli as an indicator organism. Hygienic practices were assessed using a questionnaire survey to 40 slaughterhouse workers. Faecal sampling was done to 75 slaughter cattle and after slaughter swab samples from neck, shoulder, pelvis and thigh muscles of dressed carcasses were collected and were subjected to standard bacteriological analysis for E. coli O157 isolation. The findings revealed poor hygienic practices, lack of adequate knowledge on the existence of enteropathogens and meat contamination, and a negative perception on improving sanitary conditions and practices by workers. There were no essential basic facilities for a slaughterhouse such as potable running water, separated clean and dirty areas, stunning and bleeding facilities, area for inspection of carcasses, properly working drainages, cold room, changing room, protective clothing for the workers and proper working tools. Animals were slaughtered, dressed and meat handled in dirty environment that caused gross contamination of meat. The drainage system was dilapidated and there were no defined means of waste disposal. E. coli Escherichia coli was isolated in all the samples analysed. However, E. coli O157 strain was not isolated in all the samples analysed. It is concluded that the hygienic practices, slaughterhouse facilities and conditions at Vingunguti slaughterhouse are poor predisposing carcasses to faecal contamination. Measures to improve the sanitary situation are recommended particularly the water supply and drainage, slaughter methods, meat handling practices and standard abattoir equipment.

Keywords: Slaughterhouse, Escherichia coli O157, enteropathogens, sanitary conditions