Evaluation of steam vacuuming equipment for removal of contamination from beef sides

Summary

​In early 1996 the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service approved the use of steam vacuuming treatments to remove faecal and ingesta contamination from beef carcases with the provision that areas of contamination of 25 mm or greater in the greatest dimension must continue to be removed by trimming.

In August 1996, AQIS advised its technical staff that the equipment was not yet approved for use in Australian export establishments. At the request of the Meat Research Corporation, investigations were undertaken to determine the suitability of two steam vacuuming units for use in Australian abattoirs.

The units were evaluated at two export-registered establishments. The evaluations involved both visual and microbiological assessments of sides and carcases.

Visual assessments of carcases and sides were undertaken to determine the initial level of visual contamination and then to determine if the units were able to remove visible contamination. Microbiological testing was undertaken to determine if the units were able to reduce the bacterial load on contaminated surfaces.

The units were found to be capable of removing contamination and reducing the numbers of coliform bacteria and E. coli present by at least 90%.

These findings support work previously carried out in the United States by Dorsa et al.

Recommendations

Based on the test findings presented in the attached report, MRC should recommend to AQIS that it accept the Jarvis Steam Vac steam vacuuming stems for use on beef sides subject to the conditions listed in EMlAC 20 Agenda item 3(1).
AQIS should extend the approval to the Kentmaster Vac San system subject to the same conditions and an additional condition that these units be modified by the use of a temperature gauge so that the water or steam temperature at the vacuum head can be monitored.
The method of application of the steam vacuuming equipment be dependent on the type of contamination present. For faecal material and clusters of hairs, the unit should be used for localised 'spot' treatment of an area of approximately 100 cm2 over and in the immediate vicinity of the contamination. For the incidental removal of single loose hairs or small groups of hairs which are not readily visible, a sweeping motion is more effective and is recommended.