CPT CPT Poultry Processing & Post-Harvest Handling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum allowable temperature for fresh poultry carcasses leaving a US processing plant under FSIS regulations?
- 50°F (10°C)
- 40°F (4°C) (Correct answer)
- 45°F (7°C)
- 32°F (0°C)
Correct answer: 40°F (4°C)
FSIS regulations require that poultry carcasses be chilled to 40°F (4°C) or below before leaving the processing facility.
Question 2: Which pathogen is the primary target of FSIS performance standards for poultry processing plants?
- E. coli O157:H7
- Salmonella (Correct answer)
- Listeria monocytogenes
- Campylobacter jejuni
Correct answer: Salmonella
FSIS sets specific Salmonella performance standards for broilers, turkeys, and other poultry because it is the leading cause of poultry-associated foodborne illness.
Question 3: What does 'live hang' refer to in poultry processing?
- Hanging carcasses in the cooler
- The point at which live birds are shackled and suspended on the processing line (Correct answer)
- Hanging whole birds for display
- A method of stunning birds
Correct answer: The point at which live birds are shackled and suspended on the processing line
Live hang is the process of manually shackling live birds onto the overhead conveyor line at the start of the slaughter process.
Question 4: What is the purpose of the 'inside-outside bird washer' (IOBW) in poultry processing?
- Apply antimicrobial treatments to carcasses
- Remove residual feathers after picking
- Reduce microbial contamination on carcass surfaces post-evisceration (Correct answer)
- Clean processing equipment between shifts
Correct answer: Reduce microbial contamination on carcass surfaces post-evisceration
The inside-outside bird washer sprays high-pressure water inside and outside eviscerated carcasses to flush out contaminants and reduce microbial loads.
Question 5: Which antimicrobial intervention is most commonly used in poultry processing plants to reduce pathogen loads on carcasses?
- Chlorine rinse
- Peracetic acid (PAA) spray (Correct answer)
- Bleach immersion
- UV irradiation
Correct answer: Peracetic acid (PAA) spray
Peracetic acid (PAA) sprays are widely used in US poultry processing as an antimicrobial intervention due to their effectiveness and FSIS approval.
Question 6: What USDA grade indicates the highest quality standard for commercially processed broiler-fryer chickens?
- USDA Grade A (Correct answer)
- USDA Grade B
- USDA Grade 1
- USDA Select
Correct answer: USDA Grade A
USDA Grade A is the highest quality designation for poultry, indicating well-fleshed carcasses free from broken bones, tears, discolorations, and feathers.
CPT CPT Poultry Processing & Post-Harvest Handling 2
What is the maximum allowable temperature for fresh poultry carcasses leaving a US processing plant under FSIS regulations?