SPECIAL STORY 38 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE September 2022 Feed is an integral part of animal production with a direct, measurable impact on animal performance, health and welfare, productivity and operational profitability. Feed quality from the nutritional and microbiological standpoints and the presence of specific feed-source pathogens such as Salmonella negatively impact the value and safety of feed and feed ingredients. FEED-SOURCE PATHOGENS IMPACT FEED AND FOOD SAFETY Bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli, both members of the Enterobacteriaceae family, are commonly isolated from feed and raw materials. Bacterial feed-source pathogen prevalence varies depending on the material type, source and harvest seasonality of the ingredients used in finished feed formulations. Microbial contamination type and load are also influenced by storage, transport and production environments. Feed-source pathogens are ingested by livestock, and this challenge may compromise gut integrity and microbial balance by displacing good commensal bacteria which contribute to efficient digestion and intestinal health. In extreme cases, these pathogens do irrecoverable damage to the gut lining and inhibit the animal's long-term ability to derive nutrients from feed. In addition, pathogen activity in the gut can trigger inflammatory processes and lead to an innate immune response, resulting in the animal spending energy, typically used to produce meat and eggs, to manage incoming pathogens. Matt Oldnall, Anitox Technical Services Manager for EMEA and AP, explains: "Feed is the most significant investment into animal production, and CLEAN FEED PROMOTES FEED SAFETY There is ample evidence in published research work showing that feed is a fomite for bacterial and viral pathogens. A growing body of literature, due to increased awareness and novel technologies such as CRISPR, has linked Salmonella, Clostridia, E. coli, Campylobacter, Avian Influenza and African Swine Fever to feed and feed ingredients. Matt Oldnall** Technical Services Manager for EMEA and AP Anitox Dr. Enrique Montiel* Director of Nutrition and Live Production Anitox
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