"Listeria monocytogenes" in refrigerated and frozen chicken parts

Abstract

The incidence of Listeria monocytogenes in refrigerated and frozen chicken parts was investigated, using the Mini-Vidas™ system (bioMérieux). Two hundred and eigthy chicken parts were tested: 40 skin samples from the breast and leg, 120 samples from refrigerated wings, breasts and legs and 120 samples from frozen wings, breasts and legs (40 of each). The 219 samples tested positive (78.21%). The parts with the highest incidence were frozen breasts (100%) and wings (95%). In frozen legs, the values were lower (60%). In refrigerated parts, the incidence was higher in breasts (85%) and in wings (80%). In legs samples, similarly to the frozen ones, the incidence was lower (50%). In the skin of the breasts and legs, the incidence was 77.50%. Statistical evaluation demonstrated that there are no differences between frozen breasts and wings but there are differences between similar refrigerated parts. The refrigerated and frozen legs are the only parts that are statistically equal. The percentages that were detected show the importance of requiring the absence of Listeria spp. in chickens.