Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Practice Exam

What performance criteria indicate a plant's ability to control fecal contamination of carcasses?

1. E. coli

2. E. coli O157:H7

3. Salmonella

4. Clostridium perfringens

The correct answer is: E. coli

The basis for determining a plant's ability to control fecal contamination of carcasses relies heavily on the presence of E. coli. Specifically, E. coli is commonly used as an indicator organism in food safety practices. Its presence suggests fecal contamination because it is a microorganism found in the intestines of both humans and animals. Therefore, monitoring for E. coli levels provides useful data regarding the effectiveness of sanitation and meat processing operations in controlling biological hazards. E. coli strains such as E. coli O157:H7 are of concern for their pathogenicity and potential to cause severe foodborne illness, but they are not as broad or definitive as the generic E. coli when assessing fecal contamination across a plant. Meanwhile, Salmonella is also a significant pathogen that can be present in fecal matter, but it is not exclusively an indicator of fecal contamination as it can occur in various sources. Clostridium perfringens, while it can be associated with foodborne illness, is not a direct indicator of fecal contamination. Overall, the use of E. coli as a performance criterion is well established in the industry for effectively gauging a facility's sanitation and safety measures with respect to fecal contamination.