EFSA publishes scientific opinion on cold storage temperatures
The conclusion has come following a request from the European Commission to deliver a scientific opinion on whether or not it was possible to apply alternative core temperatures in the storage and transportation of meat.
EFSA has said the current maximum temperature could be exceeded without causing additional bacterial growth, "provided that specific maximum transport times are applied and bacterial growth is controlled by efficient chilling".
It recommends specific combinations of maximum temperatures of the carcases and transport times that do not increase bacterial growth, adding that the current absence of a time limit by which the core temperature must be achieved introduces the possibility that carcases could be held at temperatures that support the growth of pathogens such as salmonella and VTEC.
"Surface temperature is a more relevant indicator of the effect of chilling on bacterial growth than core temperature as the majority of bacterial contamination occurs on the meat surface," it added.
