MULTIPLE HURDLES FOR CONTROLLING E. COLI AND OTHER PATHOGENIC BACTERIA
DURING FURTHER PROCESSING OF BEEF
No single intervention can completely eliminate E. coli and other pathogenic bacteria from a meat
processing facility. To ensure the best protection of your product, Birko Corporation recommends the
implementation of a robust multiple-hurdle approach to controlling E. coli and other bacteria in beef
processing facilities. Each step in the further processing of beef provides an opportunity to control
bacteria, prevent cross-contamination and prevent the spread of bacterial contamination to downstream
processes. Birko Corporation supplies chemicals and equipment that can be used as interventions at
critical points throughout your operation.
• Antimicrobial Sprays – USDA-approved as processing aids for direct application to carcasses, cuts and
trim.
• A full range of Plant Cleaning, Sanitation and Process Chemicals
• Hand and tool sanitizing dips and sprays
• Entryway sanitizing equipment and chemicals
• Automated cleaning and sanitizing equipment for belts and other equipment
• Chemical Mixing and Dispensing Equipment that automates the mixing and dilution of concentrates to
produce end-use cleaners on-site controlling chemical usage and costs
• Hot Water Mixing Valves – For a plentiful supply of hot water at precise temperatures to meet your
HACCP requirements
• A full range of laundry detergents, laundry bleaches and sours
• Specialized products for control of biofilms on floors and in drains
Birko Corporation has supplied chemicals and technical expertise to many of the largest red meat
slaughter operations in the U. S. since the early 1950's. As the beef industry has evolved to concentrate
fabrication and further processing higher up in the distribution chain Birko's product line and expertise
have evolved and today Birko is a leading supplier to all portions of the beef processing industry. Birko's
skilled technical staff has accumulated many years of beef processing knowledge and is well equipped to
handle even the most complex challenges. Our technical team is closely supported by our lab team which
includes Ph.D. Chemists/Microbiologists who frequently travel to visit and consult at our customer's
facilities. In addition to its own staff Birko maintains close relationships with leading academic food
safety specialists, and when necessary Dr. John Henson, University of California, Fresno, is available for
full food safety audits of our customer's plants.
The first hurdle for controlling bacteria in your facility is to provide a sanitary processing environment.
Birko's product line includes a full range of cleaning chemicals for use by your sanitation crew, and our
sanitizer offerings include Chlorine, Quaternary Ammonium compounds, Iodophors, and Peroxyacetic
acid (Peracetic acid or PAA) formulations. All processing equipment and food contact surfaces should be
properly cleaned and sanitized before the start of each production day. Biofilms are durable microbial
films that are resistant to conventional chemical cleaners and sanitizers; they can be a persistent source of
bacterial contamination in processing environments. The Sterilex® product line distributed by Birko is
currently the only EPA registered product with biofilm removal claims.
To control the introduction of bacteria into cleaned production areas via employee foot traffic, carts,
trolleys and fork-lifts Birko recommends the use of entryway foamers to lay a
sanitizing blanket of foam across all entry points to the production floor. POWQUATT.M.granules provide a slow release of quat based cleaner on production
floors to inhibit microbial activity and prevent slips and falls. Employee frocks,
gloves and personal protective equipment should be changed after all breakperiods and cleaned appropriately before reuse. Inappropriate hand washing and
glove sanitation can be a major source of cross-contamination. Birko formulates a
number of antimicrobial hand-soaps and sanitizers and can supply dispensers to
Entryway Foamer
control use. Gloves may also be periodically sanitized with dip solutions. Birko's
using Birko
laundry product line is formulated specifically for the soils and stains found in
Antimicrobial
Foam
meat processing facilities. A frequently overlooked source of bacterial
contaminants in the processing environment is the air handling/cooling system,
duct work and coils require periodic cleaning and should be cleaned frequently and quat or iodine blocks
used to control fouling of drip pans.
Another important hurdle that should be used in beef processing is the application of one or more antimicrobial solutions to beef products before, during and after processing. FSIS Notice 05-09 requires
facilities receiving beef for further processing to employ appropriate measures to control E. coli O157:H7
on product entering their facility. One of the recommended procedures is to wash the beef with a suitable
anti-microbial product after removal from Cryovac bags. Birko Corporation is an established supplier of
Lactic Acid for carcass and cut applications. Birko has worked closely with the CHAD Company, to
develop and optimize conveyor spray cabinets and other equipment for applying anti-microbial sprays to
cuts. Birko recently expanded its laboratory facilities to include a Class II pathogen lab and is committed
to a program to improve the efficacy of anti-microbials for direct application to beef. Birko BEEFXIDE®, an
organic acid blend, shows equal if not greater efficacy than lactic acid at lower concentration and lower
application cost. Protect M, a new lauric arginate (LAE) surface treatment, may be an ideal pre-packaging
treatment for cooked beef items; and Potassium and Sodium Lactates are also available from Birko. Birko
also supplies peroxyacetic acid for application to beef and as a belt sanitizer.
An EmechT.M.
temperature control
actuator coupled to a
Komax inline
steam injection hot
water heater
Birko Corporation's Engineering Department provides systems and equipment that
can enhance, automate, and improve the efficiency of cleaning processes.
EmechT.M. Temperature Control Valves can re-engineer your hot water system to
provide a consistent supply of hot water at a precise temperature set point,
helping you meet the requirement of your HACCP protocols while saving energy
costs. Birko's AlloTresT.M. chemical dispensing and blend-on-site system controls
and tracks chemical consumption and reduces wastage. From stand alone tank
foamers to the most sophisticated plant wide central foaming and sanitation
systems from System Cleaners®, our engineering team is ready to help.
Birko was an original member of the HACCP Alliance and the only supplier
member on the original board. Birko Technical Representatives are some of the
most knowledgeable in the business. Backed by our PhD. chemists and
microbiologists Birko can provide a solution to any problem encountered in a
meat plant. We service what we sell 24/7.
CHEMICALS, EQUIPMENT, EXPERTISE – BIRKO IS YOUR TOTAL CLEANING AND SANITATION
RESOURCE.
9152 Yosemite Street • Henderson, CO 80640-8027 • (800) 525-0476
Fax: (303) 289-1190 • email: info@birkocorp.com • www.birkocorp.com