Suchergebnisse

The slaughter of pregnant cattle raises ethical–moral questions with regard to animal welfare, but also concerns of consumers because of higher levels of sex steroids in the meat from pregnant cattle. Since no data on the slaughter of pregnant cattle in Austria were available, we examined uteri of slaughtered female cattle in one Austrian mid-size abattoir. Sample size was calculated for an assumed prevalence of 2.5% (±1% ; 95% confidence interval) of cows or heifers slaughtered in the last trimester of pregnancy and amounted to 870 cows and 744 heifers. 1633 female cattle of domestic origin were examined, most of them of dual-purpose type. Pregnancy was detected in 30/759 heifers and in 74/874 cows (an overall prevalence of 6.4%). The number of cattle in the last trimester of pregnancy was 16 to 26, depending on the evaluation scheme. We found no significant differences in percentages of pregnant cattle sent to slaughter for beef, dual-purpose and dairy breeds, although the latter group demonstrated the lowest percentage. Our results are comparable with those from previously conducted studies in other member states of the European Union. Measures to avoid sending pregnant cattle to slaughter should be implemented at farm-level.

Game meat, previously often considered as an 'exotic' food, or being relevant only in remote regions, is becoming increasingly popular. In order to provide sufficient quantities of nutritious, wholesome and safe game meat, a number of measures have to be implemented along the food chain- from the forest/field or fenced area where the animals are harvested, to the point of consumption. These involve monitoring and control of diseases of game animals transmissible to man, technology and hygiene of game meat processing and specifics of products manufactured from game meat.This book combines 30 contributions of various experts in the field, addressing four main topics: i.e. 'hygiene and management of microbial contamination in fresh meat from game', 'zoonoses and epidemiology', 'risk assessment and quality assurance along the game meat chain' and 'quality issues in game meat products'.The focus on Europe is expanded by presenting specifics of the game meat chain in African and Asian regions, with a view to provide information on 'bushmeat' consumed by the indigenous population.Similar to the first volume in this series, this volume follows a 'from forest to fork' approach and is targeted at scientists in academia and industry, graduate students as well as at governmental officials in veterinary public health and food safety

International audience ; In two surveys, thighs of a total of 137 hunted hares were tested for the presence of intramuscular shots and femur fractures, which were detected in 42.7% and 29.2% of 274 thighs, respectively. Femur fractures were significantly associated with the presence of intramuscular shots. In the second survey (46 hares), 92 thighs were grouped into three categories, "A" (no fractures, no intramuscular shot), "B" (one intramuscular shot), and "C" (multiple shots and hematoma), with 49.0%, 33.6%, and 17.4%, respectively. Category "C" was found unfit for human consumption. During 7-day storage of vacuum-packed "A" and "B" thighs, total aerobic counts increased from initially 3.3 ± 0.3 (mean ± SD) and 4.1 ± 0.6 log cfu/g by ca. 2 log units when stored at 3-4°C, whereas the increase was clearly <1 log unit at 0°C. In comparison to temperature, differences between "A" and "B" category were less pronounced. Similar dynamics were observed for Enterobacteriaceae. In all categories, muscle pH values (mean = 5.83) were similar. It is concluded that storage at temperatures of ca. 4°C, although in compliance with EU legislation, does not afford keeping microbial contaminants in check, and thus will not preserve microbiological quality of vacuum-packed hare meat.