Project number: 18.00.18.04.02
Challenge Tests for Increasing the Food Safety of Meat Products
The current data situation on the prevalence of pathogens and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in meat products is patchy. Moreover, little is known about the ability of pathogenic bacteria and viruses to survive the manufacturing process for raw, cured meat products. This state of affairs must change. Using the results of the prevalence study, our researchers hope to discover where gaps in knowledge exist; they plan to explore these gaps in practical trials and research. An important part of this will be the so-called ‘challenge tests’ in the planned BSL-3 (= biosafety level 3) pilot-plant laboratory. Only the challenge tests will enable us to answer important research questions in an international environment. With this research project, Agroscope makes a significant contribution to ensuring the safety of meat products, and hence also their exportability.