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This thesis describes the results of three studies that used different measures of bacterial numbers in retail ground beef (n=309) collected across different locations in Saskatchewan within a one-year period (May 2011 – May 2012). The measurements were compared among three sample categories: 1 - ground beef displaying government inspection information on the label legend (n=126), 2 - originating from facilities licensed by local health regions and thus not subjected to government inspection (n=80), or 3 - processed and repackaged at the retail level thus carrying no government inspection information on the label (n=103). The first study reports baseline levels of bacteria in Saskatchewan retail ground beef as measured by traditional (total aerobic plate count (TAPC) and total E. coli plate count (TEPC)) and culture-independent methods (estimate of total bacterial load (TBL) by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction). After accounting for season and whether the samples were fresh or frozen at purchase, the lowest TAPC (log10 4.9 culture forming units per gram (cfu/g); 95% CI log10 4.7 to log10 5.1 cfu/g), TEPC (log10 0.58 cfu/g; 95% CI log10 0.39 to log10 0.77 cfu/g), and TBL in frozen ground beef (log10 4.5 target copies per gram (tc/g); 95% CI log10 4.0 to log10 4.9 tc/g) were observed in samples originating from federally regulated or provincially licensed facilities. In the second study, presence of known Enterobacteriaceae virulence factors (stx1, stx2, and eae) was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and compared between samples originating from three different regulatory and inspection environments as well as collected during different seasons of the year, and purchased fresh or frozen. One hundred and twelve out of all tested samples (n=308) were positive for the presence of at least one virulence marker with stx1 identified in 107 samples, stx2 - in 8, and eae - in 26. No significant associations were found between the virulence markers presence and sample category, state or season of purchase. The third study investigates the presence and diversity of Campylobacter spp. organisms in the same pool of 309 retail beef samples as detected by molecular methods. Fifty samples (16.2%) tested positive for Campylobacter genus-specific DNA in conventional PCR and 49 samples (15.9%) tested positive for at least one Campylobacter species DNA presence in real-time qPCR, but the crude agreement between the two methods was less than 50%. C. coli DNA presence was observed in 14 samples (4.5%), C. curvus – in 11 (3.6%), C. fetus – in 6 (1.9%), C. hyointestinalis – in 24 (7.8%), C. jejuni – in 12 (3.9%), C. rectus – in 6 (1.9%), and C. upsaliensis – in 9 (2.9%). There was no difference in the frequency of Campylobacter identified among the three sample categories, fresh and frozen, or samples purchased during the cold or warm season. These studies provide data on prevalence of bacteria in retail ground beef offered for sale in Saskatchewan and compare differences between samples presented to the consumer as originating from federally regulated or provincially licensed facilities, locally licensed facilities, or repackaged and processed directly at a retail outlet. The information on baseline levels of bacteria in retail ground beef and the comparisons among different categories can be used in prioritising food safety improvement efforts in Saskatchewan.

Published Article / Direct control by government over abattoirs shifted in the late 1980s through privatisation. The legislated food safety system, namely the Hygiene Management System (HMS), coupled with the Hygiene Assessment System (HAS) attempted to address problems of control. The responsibility to implement and maintain these systems is now the responsibility of abattoir operators who must ensure that meat is processed within the risk-based HMS. However requirements for the HMS are scattered throughout legislation, government policies and guideline documents. The research aim was to suggest themes toward the development of an implementation guideline document for HMS implementation by conducting gap assessment audits at abattoirs using the Hygiene Assessment System (HAS).

Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Thesis (MSc (Paravet. Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Between 60-70% of Namibia’s population practice subsistence agro-pastoralism on communal land that constitutes 41% of the total land area. Cysticercosis bovis is found worldwide, but most often in rural developing countries, where unhygienic conditions are coupled with poor cattle management practices and lack or absence of meat inspection. Because livestock is so important to the economy and social structure of the majority of people in Namibia, risks from zoonotic diseases transmitted from domestic animals to humans are a constant threat and are therefore of major concern. In addition, C.bovis is also emerging as a public health risk not only in these rural communities but also in urban areas where many infected cattle are transported, informally slaughtered and consumed. This disease has a negative impact on food safety, and thus is related to Veterinary Public Health (VPH) strategies in Namibia. Over the period from 2000 to 2004, 3232 (8%) measles detections were recorded from the 40 373 cattle slaughtered at Meatco Oshakati Abattoir. C.bovis is considered important from both an economic (loss of income to cattle owners) and human health (it is a zoonosis) point of view. The aim of the study was to do an analysis of the level of C.bovis in bovine carcasses at the abattoir, in order to identify geographical areas where the disease is prevalent in cattle in North Central Namibia and to develop a risk communication strategy, to improve the control of this disease in the target population (subsistence cattle farmers in the study area). Meat inspection was carried out for a period of 12 months and the abattoir records examined covered two years (2004 –2005). Results showed that incidence for C.bovis of cattle originating from Oshikoto Region were high: (12%). Omusati and Oshana Regions had an incidence of 7% and a much lower incidence of C.bovis (5%) was reported in cattle from the Ohangwena Region. Structured interviews with 95 farmers (99% male and 1% female) in all the four Regions of the study area, were carried out using a set of questionnaires (Appendix A). The questionnaires had provision for numerical data and comments concerning changes, constraints and suggestions for improving dissemination of information and extension services in the target areas. It was noted that between 5% and 13 % of respondents had neither pit latrines nor waterborne sewage. This leads to the conclusion that a significant proportion of the rural population is defecating in an area which is available to the cows grazing close to the homestead or cattle post. In addition, 61% of cattle from this area are marketed through informal marketing and many of them are slaughtered informally with no meat inspection taking place. This provides a high risk of infestation for the consumer, which perpetuates the parasite in the rural population. The educational level showed that 24% had no formal education and 33% had only primary school education. The language spoken by 93% of respondents is Oshiwambo and although only 20% speak English or Afrikaans, extension materials, including visual material, is not available in the vernacular. Between 58% and 96% of the respondents from the four Regions had no knowledge of the disease and how it could be diagnosed and controlled in both people and cattle. In Oshikoto Region, where the incidence in slaughtered cattle was the highest, only 4% of the respondents knew about C.bovis in cattle. The results obtained for language proficiency advocates for extension materials to be developed in Oshiwambo (which 93% of the target population are able to read and write). Skills training using visual aids and personal communication in Oshiwambo would be needed for other 7% who are illiterate. From the above, it was concluded that extension is needed to reduce the incidence of C.bovis in cattle. The most important extension messages, as determined by an expert opinion survey of veterinarians in Namibia, were firstly that families should be treated for tapeworms and secondly that they should only buy meat that has been inspected after slaughter at an abattoir. It was recommended that stakeholders in the livestock industry, and the state as well as the Department of Health should be made aware of the high level of cysticercosis and the equally high level of ignorance about the disease in rural areas of North Central Namibia. Veterinary and agriculture staff should be motivated to communicate and combine efforts to assist each other, as transport is expensive and one of the main constraints to successful extension because of the great distances in North Central Namibia. Funding should also be found for production of extension materials in the vernacular. / Dissertation (MSc (Veterinary Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Paraclinical Sciences / MSc / unrestricted

Typescripe (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Thesis (DTech. degree in Environmental Health)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2011. / The South African game farming industry has become a world leader in the utilization of game, including the meat of game animals. The fast growth in the game meat industry is fuelled by health conscious consumers for meat with a low fat content. Although research on the production potential of African ungulates has been done, little has been done on the factors in the supply chain that affect the provision of safe game meat to the consumer. A literature review of the study field was completed to obtain an understanding of the value chain. In order to obtain information regarding the status of existing policies, strategies and practices that may impact on game meat safety, questionnaires were distributed to game farmers, hunters, butcheries, provincial offices of Veterinary Public Health (VPH) and Environmental Health (EH) as well as municipalities. Interviews were also conducted with those members of national departments who are responsible for policy making. The results represent the first systematic analysis of the current status of the South African legal framework and its application in relation to game meat safety as well as the practices by stakeholders that impact on the provision of safe game meat to the consumer. The results provide information on the current status of game meat control in South Africa, a description of the game meat supply chain and essential food safety management points in the supply chain; game farmer, hunter and butchery practices; and the knowledge of stakeholders in the game meat industry. 220 The main conclusions drawn from the study were as follows: (1) that the game meat industry is growing in South Africa; (2) that game meat reaches the consumers through a complex supply chain with various stakeholders; (3) that gaps exist in the supply chain that may impact negatively on the supply of safe game meat to the consumer. These gaps apply in particular on the farm, during hunting and control after the farm gate; (4) that there is an inconsistent application of policies and regulations by controlling authorities that leads to fragmentation in the control of game meat safety; and (5) that there is a certain degree of unfamiliarity on the part of stakeholders with regard to the game meat supply chain. A theoretical model was suggested that can be used in the development of strategies and policies that will help to alleviate the identified concerns and problems that may impact negatively on the provision of safe game meat to the consumer.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (MSc (Paraclinical Sciences, Veterinary Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print format.