Abstract

The present study has been conducted with the aim of determining the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in pig carcasses processed in the slaughterhouse of Industrias Cárnicas La Cope S. A. during the year 2020 and the period between January and June of 2021. In addition, it also aims to assess the trend in the number of positive carcasses to Salmonella spp. and conclude whether the measures applied by both the Official Veterinarian and the Quality Department are effective in reducing the levels of the microorganism in these carcasses. To do this, samples were taken weekly in five random carcasses with sterile sponges impregnated with peptone water. In 2020, a total of 265 carcasses were tested, 40 of them were positive for Salmonella spp., and in the period from January to June 2021, 125 carcasses were tested and 8 of them were positive. After data collection, the results reflected a downward trend throughout the study, obtaining 15.09% of positive cases in 2020 and 6.04% in the period from January to June 2021, resulting in an overall prevalence of 12.30%. In conclusion, it has been possible to determine a decrease in positive cases of Salmonella spp. in the carcasses processed in Industrias Cárnicas La Cope S.A., thus being able to consider that the corrective measures applied by the company and the operators have been effective.