HACCP is an important system for producing safe eggs from poultry farms. Also, HACCP helps to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses associated with eggs by ensuring that they are produced in a hygienic environment with proper sanitation practices. Therefore, 120 eggs representing 24 groups (5 eggs group) were collected from one poultry farm before and after the application of the HACCP system (12 groups before and 12 groups after application of HACCP system) located in Alexandria governorate. The obtained results revealed that the poultry farm after application of HACCP system produced safe eggs with lower aerobic bacterial count and yeast & mould counts than the results of the same farm before application of HACCP system. In addition, egg content from the farm after application of HACCP system is free from pathogenic microorganisms (Salmonella species and Escherichia coli), free from toxic elements (Lead and Cadmium) and free from veterinary drug residues. While the results from the same farm before application of HACCP system produced eggs with a higher incidence of total bacterial, yeast & mould count. Besides, two groups of egg from the same farm before application HACCP system were contaminated with Salmonella species which serological identified into Salmonella enteritidis; also, three groups contaminated with Escherichia coli which serologically identified into O91: H21 (EHEC) (2 isolates) and O2: H6 (EPEC) (1 isolate); In addition, egg content from this farm before application HACCP is contaminated with toxic elements such as lead and cadmium with incidence level 75 % and 66.7%, respectively. Finally, examination of veterinary drug residues in the farm before application of HACCP system indicated presence of Tylosin and Oxytetracycline residues in 7 egg groups. Therefore, the application of the HACCP system in poultry farms is essential for ensuring the safety of the eggs produced.
Key words: HACCP, farm eggs, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, heavy metal, veterinary drug residues.
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