IDENTIFICATION OF CRITICAL CONTROL POINTS IN NON-ACCREDITED DRESSING PLANTS SUPPLYING UNBRANDED FRESH WHOLE DRESSED CHICKEN IN LOS BAŇOS, LAGUNA PUBLIC MARKETS

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was done to identify the critical control points in selected non-accredited dressing plants supplying unbranded fresh whole dressed chicken in two major wet markets in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. Detection of Salmonella spp. contamination was done in eighty (80) samples of fresh whole dressed chicken collected from selected delivery trucks prior to unloading in the wet markets following a systematic random sampling for four consecutive weeks and subjected to non-destructive rinsing method. The rinse samples were subjected to conventional laboratory tests and the presence of Salmonella spp. was confirmed using PCR-based Salmonella DNA Amplification System™ kit. Information about the dressing plants was obtained from the fresh chicken retailers. Interviews and plant visits in selected dressing plants were done to evaluate dressing and transport practices to identify critical control points. Results showed that 1.25% of the chicken samples were found positive for Salmonella spp. The identified critical control points were receiving of live chickens, washing of eviscerated carcass, packaging and transporting of fresh chickens to wet markets. These findings can be considered as preliminary basis in developing a food safety standard protocol along the supply of value chain of broiler chicken coming from non-accredited dressing plants in the Philippines.