Main causes of chicken carcass condemnations in Espírito Santo, Brazil

Abstract

Brazil is the third largest producer and the main exporter of chicken meat in the world. In 2019, it produced approximately 13.245 million tons of the product, generating more than six million dollars. According to the Poultry Association of the state of Espírito Santo, broiler production is carried out by 28 independent producers/companies, three integrator businesses, 42 integrated producers and seven slaughterhouses (structures with SIF, SIE/SISBI or SIE certification). Despite the growth of this sector, problems persist regarding the quality of carcasses and the number of condemnations. From the sanitary and industrial point of view, all products of animal origin must undergo prior inspection. The present study was developed using data generated by the Federal Inspection Service (Serviço de Inspeção Federal, SIF) and the State Inspection Service (Serviço de Inspeção Estadual, SIE). The main causes of condemnation of birds as inspected by SIF represented 9.26% of the slaughtered birds. Total condemnations corresponded to 1.35%. Overall, this study recorded a greater number of condemnations of non-pathological origin. In conclusion, there was consistency in the reasons why these products were condemned. Bruises/fractures and contamination were the most frequent causes according to both inspection services (SIF and SIE), indicating a common problem on the slaughter and inspection lines.