Bacteria
Bacteria all share one thing in common, they want to live and given the proper conditions, they will multiply. They don’t grow bigger, they just divide and divide and divide until there is nothing for them to eat, or until conditions become so unfavourable that they stop multiplying and die.
Salmonella or Escherichia coli will find their way with infected meat into our intestines and if present in sufficient numbers, will pose a serious danger.
Pathogens like to multiply in nutritious foods like Meat, Chicken and Fish.
Bacteria need the following to grow:
Heat (temperature):
The ‘danger zone’ temperatures at which bacteria grow best are between 5 degrees Celcius and 63 degrees Celcius. Transporting the cargo in a black plastic bag creates the perfect conditions for bacteria to grow.
Moisture:
Bacteria are found in dust, but need moisture to grow… The cargo must be protected from moisture as quality can be diminished, the storage requirement for meat is to be in a cool, dry and well ventilated place.
The blood of the carcass creates the moisture that bacteria needs to grow in The time the carcass is in the plastic bag, being transported from point A to point B is when the bacteria uses the blood for moisture to grow.
Food:
Like any other living thing, germs need food to grow. High protein foods like meat and fish are the ideal food for bacteria to thrive in. It is an ideal for Bacteria to grow when cargo is transported in a warm and clumsy environment.
Time:
In ideal conditions (i.e. in moist foods at 37 degrees Celcius) bacteria will grow and multiply by dividing into two every 20 minutes. After 6 hours, in these conditions, one bacterial cell could become 131 072 bacteria! Within 4 hours bacteria is formed when cargo is transported in a warm environment for example a plastic bag.
BY TRANSPORTING MEAT IN PLASTIC BAGS, YOU ARE CREATING THE BEST ENVIRONMENT FOR BACTERIA TO GROW!!
Heat, moisture and time are the 3 factors that influence growth of bacteria.
Heat: Plastic bag, no ventilation, cause sweaty meat due to increased humidity.
Moisture: Fluid in the form of blood.
Food: Meat the ideal food for bacteria.
Time: Drive time to destination
Fighting bacteria is a never ending battle, but at least you can do your best to turn the odds in you favour, by using a WRAP A BUCK carcass bag to transport all your meat.