This International Standard specifies sampling methods for the detection and enumeration of microorganisms on the surface of carcasses or parts of carcasses of slaughtered animals. Microbiological sampling can be carried out as:
——Part of process-related hygiene control (for validation and/or verification of process control, e.g. determination of total bacterial counts and Enterobacteriaceae) in slaughterhouses for large mammals, poultry and game;
——risk-based assurance systems for product safety, and;
——the control or surveillance programs on the distribution and/or number of pathogenic microorganisms. This International Standard includes the use of cut and swab methods, depending on the reason for sampling. It also includes the use of carcass rinsing for the examination of poultry carcasses and carcasses of some small animals. Appendix A shows the sampling points on the carcasses of various animal species.
EN ISO 17604:2015 Referenced Document
ISO 18593:2004 Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs - Horizontal methods for sampling techniques from surfaces using contact plates and swabs
ISO 6887-1:1999 Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs - Preparation of test samples, initial suspension and decimal dilutions for microbiological examination - Part 1: General rules for the preparation of the initial suspension and decimal dilutions
ISO 6887-2:2003 Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs - Preparation of test samples, initial suspension and decimal dilutions for microbiological examination - Part 2: Specific rules for the preparation of meat and meat products
ISO 7218:2007 Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs - General requirements and guidance for microbiological examinations
EN ISO 17604:2015 history
2015EN ISO 17604:2015 Microbiology of the food chain - Carcass sampling for microbiological analysis (ISO 17604:2015)