[{"title":"Detection of carcass contamination using video image analysis during industrial pig slaughter","volume":6,"intvolume":"         6","publication_identifier":{"issn":["2674-1121"]},"publication_status":"published","abstract":[{"text":"In this study, we examined the possibility of detecting different types of materials that contaminate carcasses during industrial pig slaughter using video image analysis and artificial intelligence (AI). A camera system was installed between evisceration and postmortem meat inspection on an industrial pig slaughter line with a capacity of 12,000 pigs per day. The pigs were photographed using five 2D cameras, and the images were analysed for contamination using an AI-based algorithm. The setup, which was developed and installed by CLK GmbH, performed under industrial conditions. In order to train the system, specifications were created for the most frequently occurring types of contamination, namely, intestinal contents, bile, stomach contents, and tubular rail fat. Afterward, the system was trained using annotated images. In principle, the system was able to recognize all types of contamination on the camera images; even pinhead-sized contaminations were visible. The agreement between the algorithm and the results of an expert assessor who assessed the images online agreed in 60% of the judgements. The agreement between experts using onsite assessment and those using online assessment by images was 73%. Thus, the kappa measure of agreement was κ = 0.1215 (p = 0.0199). Significantly higher recognition rates appear to be possible by adjusting the algorithm and increasing the number of training images. Thus, the system is a useful tool to preselect contaminated carcasses and to support postmortem inspection.","lang":"eng"}],"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","author":[{"id":"80924","full_name":"Tholen, Janna","first_name":"Janna","last_name":"Tholen"},{"last_name":"Kirse","first_name":"Alina","full_name":"Kirse, Alina"},{"first_name":"Alexander","full_name":"Voß, Alexander","last_name":"Voß"},{"last_name":"Schulze Althoff","full_name":"Schulze Althoff, Gereon","first_name":"Gereon"},{"last_name":"Strotkötter","first_name":"Lea","full_name":"Strotkötter, Lea"},{"last_name":"Kreienbrock","first_name":"Lothar","full_name":"Kreienbrock, Lothar"},{"id":"12666","last_name":"Upmann","first_name":"Matthias","full_name":"Upmann, Matthias"}],"publication":"Frontiers in Food Science and Technology","status":"public","doi":"10.3389/frfst.2026.1698416","user_id":"83781","date_updated":"2026-05-04T09:41:58Z","department":[{"_id":"DEP4028"},{"_id":"DEP4029"}],"date_created":"2026-04-30T13:02:33Z","citation":{"din1505-2-1":"<span style=\"font-variant:small-caps;\">Tholen, Janna</span> ; <span style=\"font-variant:small-caps;\">Kirse, Alina</span> ; <span style=\"font-variant:small-caps;\">Voß, Alexander</span> ; <span style=\"font-variant:small-caps;\">Schulze Althoff, Gereon</span> ; <span style=\"font-variant:small-caps;\">Strotkötter, Lea</span> ; <span style=\"font-variant:small-caps;\">Kreienbrock, Lothar</span> ; <span style=\"font-variant:small-caps;\">Upmann, Matthias</span>: Detection of carcass contamination using video image analysis during industrial pig slaughter. In: <i>Frontiers in Food Science and Technology</i> Bd. 6. Lausanne, Frontiers Media SA (2026)","havard":"J. Tholen, A. Kirse, A. Voß, G. Schulze Althoff, L. Strotkötter, L. Kreienbrock, M. Upmann, Detection of carcass contamination using video image analysis during industrial pig slaughter, Frontiers in Food Science and Technology. 6 (2026).","apa":"Tholen, J., Kirse, A., Voß, A., Schulze Althoff, G., Strotkötter, L., Kreienbrock, L., &#38; Upmann, M. (2026). Detection of carcass contamination using video image analysis during industrial pig slaughter. <i>Frontiers in Food Science and Technology</i>, <i>6</i>, Article 1698416. <a href=\"https://doi.org/10.3389/frfst.2026.1698416\">https://doi.org/10.3389/frfst.2026.1698416</a>","bjps":"<b>Tholen J <i>et al.</i></b> (2026) Detection of Carcass Contamination Using Video Image Analysis during Industrial Pig Slaughter. <i>Frontiers in Food Science and Technology</i> <b>6</b>.","chicago-de":"Tholen, Janna, Alina Kirse, Alexander Voß, Gereon Schulze Althoff, Lea Strotkötter, Lothar Kreienbrock und Matthias Upmann. 2026. Detection of carcass contamination using video image analysis during industrial pig slaughter. <i>Frontiers in Food Science and Technology</i> 6. doi:<a href=\"https://doi.org/10.3389/frfst.2026.1698416\">10.3389/frfst.2026.1698416</a>, .","ufg":"<b>Tholen, Janna u. a.</b>: Detection of carcass contamination using video image analysis during industrial pig slaughter, in: <i>Frontiers in Food Science and Technology</i> 6 (2026).","ieee":"J. Tholen <i>et al.</i>, “Detection of carcass contamination using video image analysis during industrial pig slaughter,” <i>Frontiers in Food Science and Technology</i>, vol. 6, Art. no. 1698416, 2026, doi: <a href=\"https://doi.org/10.3389/frfst.2026.1698416\">10.3389/frfst.2026.1698416</a>.","van":"Tholen J, Kirse A, Voß A, Schulze Althoff G, Strotkötter L, Kreienbrock L, et al. Detection of carcass contamination using video image analysis during industrial pig slaughter. Frontiers in Food Science and Technology. 2026;6.","ama":"Tholen J, Kirse A, Voß A, et al. Detection of carcass contamination using video image analysis during industrial pig slaughter. <i>Frontiers in Food Science and Technology</i>. 2026;6. doi:<a href=\"https://doi.org/10.3389/frfst.2026.1698416\">10.3389/frfst.2026.1698416</a>","chicago":"Tholen, Janna, Alina Kirse, Alexander Voß, Gereon Schulze Althoff, Lea Strotkötter, Lothar Kreienbrock, and Matthias Upmann. “Detection of Carcass Contamination Using Video Image Analysis during Industrial Pig Slaughter.” <i>Frontiers in Food Science and Technology</i> 6 (2026). <a href=\"https://doi.org/10.3389/frfst.2026.1698416\">https://doi.org/10.3389/frfst.2026.1698416</a>.","mla":"Tholen, Janna, et al. “Detection of Carcass Contamination Using Video Image Analysis during Industrial Pig Slaughter.” <i>Frontiers in Food Science and Technology</i>, vol. 6, 1698416, 2026, <a href=\"https://doi.org/10.3389/frfst.2026.1698416\">https://doi.org/10.3389/frfst.2026.1698416</a>.","short":"J. Tholen, A. Kirse, A. Voß, G. Schulze Althoff, L. Strotkötter, L. Kreienbrock, M. Upmann, Frontiers in Food Science and Technology 6 (2026)."},"type":"scientific_journal_article","year":"2026","language":[{"iso":"eng"}],"_id":"13721","place":"Lausanne","article_number":"1698416","keyword":["artificial intelligence (AI)","bile contamination","contamination detection","faecal contamination","slaughter hygiene","tubular rail fat"]},{"keyword":["Bile contamination","Fecal contamination","Pig carcass color","Pig carcass decontamination","Slaughter hygiene","Tubular rail fat contamination"],"article_number":"100687","_id":"13506","language":[{"iso":"eng"}],"place":"Des Moines, Iowa ","quality_controlled":"1","citation":{"van":"Tholen J, Kirse A, von Haacke H, Kreienbrock L, Strotkötter L, Althoff GS, et al. Steam-Vacuum Treatment of Pig Carcass Surfaces. Journal of Food Protection. 2025;89(2).","ieee":"J. Tholen <i>et al.</i>, “Steam-Vacuum Treatment of Pig Carcass Surfaces,” <i>Journal of Food Protection</i>, vol. 89, no. 2, Art. no. 100687, 2025, doi: <a href=\"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100687\">10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100687</a>.","chicago":"Tholen, Janna, Alina Kirse, Henrike von Haacke, Lothar Kreienbrock, Lea Strotkötter, Gereon Schulze Althoff, and Matthias Upmann. “Steam-Vacuum Treatment of Pig Carcass Surfaces.” <i>Journal of Food Protection</i> 89, no. 2 (2025). <a href=\"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100687\">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100687</a>.","mla":"Tholen, Janna, et al. “Steam-Vacuum Treatment of Pig Carcass Surfaces.” <i>Journal of Food Protection</i>, vol. 89, no. 2, 100687, 2025, <a href=\"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100687\">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100687</a>.","din1505-2-1":"<span style=\"font-variant:small-caps;\">Tholen, Janna</span> ; <span style=\"font-variant:small-caps;\">Kirse, Alina</span> ; <span style=\"font-variant:small-caps;\">von Haacke, Henrike</span> ; <span style=\"font-variant:small-caps;\">Kreienbrock, Lothar</span> ; <span style=\"font-variant:small-caps;\">Strotkötter, Lea</span> ; <span style=\"font-variant:small-caps;\">Althoff, Gereon Schulze</span> ; <span style=\"font-variant:small-caps;\">Upmann, Matthias</span>: Steam-Vacuum Treatment of Pig Carcass Surfaces. In: <i>Journal of Food Protection</i> Bd. 89. Des Moines, Iowa , IAFP (2025), Nr. 2","apa":"Tholen, J., Kirse, A., von Haacke, H., Kreienbrock, L., Strotkötter, L., Althoff, G. S., &#38; Upmann, M. (2025). Steam-Vacuum Treatment of Pig Carcass Surfaces. <i>Journal of Food Protection</i>, <i>89</i>(2), Article 100687. <a href=\"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100687\">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100687</a>","ama":"Tholen J, Kirse A, von Haacke H, et al. Steam-Vacuum Treatment of Pig Carcass Surfaces. <i>Journal of Food Protection</i>. 2025;89(2). doi:<a href=\"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100687\">10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100687</a>","short":"J. Tholen, A. Kirse, H. von Haacke, L. Kreienbrock, L. Strotkötter, G.S. Althoff, M. Upmann, Journal of Food Protection 89 (2025).","havard":"J. Tholen, A. Kirse, H. von Haacke, L. Kreienbrock, L. Strotkötter, G.S. Althoff, M. Upmann, Steam-Vacuum Treatment of Pig Carcass Surfaces, Journal of Food Protection. 89 (2025).","chicago-de":"Tholen, Janna, Alina Kirse, Henrike von Haacke, Lothar Kreienbrock, Lea Strotkötter, Gereon Schulze Althoff und Matthias Upmann. 2025. Steam-Vacuum Treatment of Pig Carcass Surfaces. <i>Journal of Food Protection</i> 89, Nr. 2. doi:<a href=\"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100687\">10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100687</a>, .","ufg":"<b>Tholen, Janna u. a.</b>: Steam-Vacuum Treatment of Pig Carcass Surfaces, in: <i>Journal of Food Protection</i> 89 (2025), H. 2.","bjps":"<b>Tholen J <i>et al.</i></b> (2025) Steam-Vacuum Treatment of Pig Carcass Surfaces. <i>Journal of Food Protection</i> <b>89</b>."},"type":"scientific_journal_article","year":"2025","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100687","date_updated":"2026-04-15T14:12:52Z","date_created":"2026-03-15T21:28:40Z","department":[{"_id":"DEP4028"},{"_id":"DEP4029"}],"user_id":"83781","issue":"2","publication":"Journal of Food Protection","status":"public","abstract":[{"lang":"eng","text":"The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of a steam-vacuum treatment of the surface of industrially slaughtered pig carcasses after evisceration but before chilling. Both the reduction of the microbial load after contamination with stomach contents, bile, or tubular rail fat and color changes of the carcass surface were investigated. Up to 25 samples per type of contamination were examined within an experimental setting under regular slaughterhouse conditions. The steam-vacuum treatment was applied on the approximately 30 cm long carcass rind between 2 and 8 s. This led to a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.0001) in total bacterial counts of up to 2 log10 levels to values near or below the lower detection limit for all types of contamination considered (stomach contents (−1.2 log CFU/cm2) (p < 0.0001), bile (−1.6 log CFU/cm2) (p < 0.0001) and tubular fat (−2.2 log CFU/cm2) (p < 0.0001). Noncontaminated, nontreated carcasses underwent a color change of ΔE = 2.5 ± 1.2 (ΔE represents the overall color difference, where higher values indicate more noticeable color changes.) during storage of the carcass surface at 2 °C after 24 and 48 h. After steam-vacuum treatment, no statistically significant color differences (24 h storage: 2 s p = 0.7403, 4 s p = 0.8769, 6 s p = 0.1755, 8 s p = 0.0971; 48 h storage: 2 s p = 0.9710, 4 s p = 0.9967, 6 s p = 0.5648, 8 s p = 0.5360) were observed compared to untreated carcasses after storage (ΔE = 3.2 ± 1.3). Stomach content could be completely removed by the steam-vacuum treatment without affecting the color (48 h storage: 2 s p = 0.9704, 4 s p = 1.000, 6 s p = 1.000, 8 s p = 0.9996) compared with the control group. The color changes caused by bile (ΔE = 12.9 ± 4.12; p < 0.0001) and tubular rail fat (ΔE = 8 ± 3; p < 0.0001) could not be reversed completely by vacuum steam treatment. After contamination and decontamination, significant color differences remained in the b* (yellowness) range for bile (p < 0.0001) and in all three color ranges for tubular rail fat (p < 0.0001). Overall, steam-vacuum treatment appears to be a suitable microbiological decontamination method, as the microbial levels after treatment were below the detection limit."}],"publication_status":"published","publisher":"IAFP","author":[{"id":"68430","full_name":"Tholen, Janna","first_name":"Janna","last_name":"Tholen"},{"last_name":"Kirse","first_name":"Alina","full_name":"Kirse, Alina"},{"last_name":"von Haacke","first_name":"Henrike","full_name":"von Haacke, Henrike"},{"full_name":"Kreienbrock, Lothar","first_name":"Lothar","last_name":"Kreienbrock"},{"last_name":"Strotkötter","full_name":"Strotkötter, Lea","first_name":"Lea"},{"last_name":"Althoff","full_name":"Althoff, Gereon Schulze","first_name":"Gereon Schulze"},{"id":"12666","last_name":"Upmann","first_name":"Matthias","full_name":"Upmann, Matthias"}],"volume":89,"intvolume":"        89","publication_identifier":{"issn":["0362-028X"],"eissn":["1944-9097"]},"title":"Steam-Vacuum Treatment of Pig Carcass Surfaces"},{"intvolume":"        77","external_id":{"pmid":["39657079"],"isi":["001379203200001"]},"pmid":"1","volume":77,"publication_identifier":{"eissn":["1472-765X"],"issn":["0266-8254"]},"title":"Contribution of the main contaminating materials during pig slaughter to the microbial numbers on carcasses ","issue":"12","publication":"Letters in Applied Microbiology","status":"public","abstract":[{"text":"During pig slaughter, contaminants such as intestinal and stomach contents, bile, tubular rail fat, and reddish foam from the respiratory tract frequently appear on carcasses, potentially compromising meat safety. This study examined the impact of these contaminants on the bacterial loads of pig carcasses, using total bacterial counts and Enterobacteriaceae counts as hygiene indicators. Examination of the substances as such showed that intestinal and stomach contents were particularly conspicuous to undermine the carcase hygiene due to total bacterial counts of similar to 6.0 log10 CFU g-1 (intestinal content) and 5.5 log10 CFU g-1 (stomach content). Tubular rail fat showed varying contamination levels, from low (3.1 log10 CFU g-1) to high (6.4 log10 CFU g-1). The reddish foam had moderate contamination (4.3 log10 CFU g-1). Enterobacteriaceae levels mirrored these results at a lower level. Subsequently, a comparative study analysing bacterial levels in contaminated and in noncontaminated pork rind regions was performed. Even small amounts of intestinal and stomach contents led to significant increases in total bacterial counts of up to 3 log10 CFU cm-(2) and in Enterobacteriaceae counts (up to 5 log10 CFU cm-(2)). Other contaminants did not significantly raise bacterial levels: their total viable counts around 3.5 log10 CFU cm-(2) were similar to those of uncontaminated carcass areas. Nevertheless, they should be removed before further processing.","lang":"eng"}],"publication_status":"published","author":[{"last_name":"Tholen","full_name":"Tholen, Janna","first_name":"Janna","id":"80924"},{"id":"12666","last_name":"Upmann","first_name":"Matthias","full_name":"Upmann, Matthias"}],"publisher":"Wiley-Blackwell","type":"scientific_journal_article","citation":{"bjps":"<b>Tholen J and Upmann M</b> (2024) Contribution of the Main Contaminating Materials during Pig Slaughter to the Microbial Numbers on Carcasses . <i>Letters in Applied Microbiology</i> <b>77</b>.","chicago-de":"Tholen, Janna und Matthias Upmann. 2024. Contribution of the main contaminating materials during pig slaughter to the microbial numbers on carcasses . <i>Letters in Applied Microbiology</i> 77, Nr. 12. doi:<a href=\"https://doi.org/10.1093/lambio/ovae125\">https://doi.org/10.1093/lambio/ovae125</a>, .","ufg":"<b>Tholen, Janna/Upmann, Matthias</b>: Contribution of the main contaminating materials during pig slaughter to the microbial numbers on carcasses , in: <i>Letters in Applied Microbiology</i> 77 (2024), H. 12.","havard":"J. Tholen, M. Upmann, Contribution of the main contaminating materials during pig slaughter to the microbial numbers on carcasses , Letters in Applied Microbiology. 77 (2024).","short":"J. Tholen, M. Upmann, Letters in Applied Microbiology 77 (2024).","ama":"Tholen J, Upmann M. Contribution of the main contaminating materials during pig slaughter to the microbial numbers on carcasses . <i>Letters in Applied Microbiology</i>. 2024;77(12). doi:<a href=\"https://doi.org/10.1093/lambio/ovae125\">https://doi.org/10.1093/lambio/ovae125</a>","apa":"Tholen, J., &#38; Upmann, M. (2024). Contribution of the main contaminating materials during pig slaughter to the microbial numbers on carcasses . <i>Letters in Applied Microbiology</i>, <i>77</i>(12), Article ovae125. <a href=\"https://doi.org/10.1093/lambio/ovae125\">https://doi.org/10.1093/lambio/ovae125</a>","din1505-2-1":"<span style=\"font-variant:small-caps;\">Tholen, Janna</span> ; <span style=\"font-variant:small-caps;\">Upmann, Matthias</span>: Contribution of the main contaminating materials during pig slaughter to the microbial numbers on carcasses . In: <i>Letters in Applied Microbiology</i> Bd. 77. Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell (2024), Nr. 12","mla":"Tholen, Janna, and Matthias Upmann. “Contribution of the Main Contaminating Materials during Pig Slaughter to the Microbial Numbers on Carcasses .” <i>Letters in Applied Microbiology</i>, vol. 77, no. 12, ovae125, 2024, <a href=\"https://doi.org/10.1093/lambio/ovae125\">https://doi.org/10.1093/lambio/ovae125</a>.","chicago":"Tholen, Janna, and Matthias Upmann. “Contribution of the Main Contaminating Materials during Pig Slaughter to the Microbial Numbers on Carcasses .” <i>Letters in Applied Microbiology</i> 77, no. 12 (2024). <a href=\"https://doi.org/10.1093/lambio/ovae125\">https://doi.org/10.1093/lambio/ovae125</a>.","ieee":"J. Tholen and M. Upmann, “Contribution of the main contaminating materials during pig slaughter to the microbial numbers on carcasses ,” <i>Letters in Applied Microbiology</i>, vol. 77, no. 12, Art. no. ovae125, 2024, doi: <a href=\"https://doi.org/10.1093/lambio/ovae125\">https://doi.org/10.1093/lambio/ovae125</a>.","van":"Tholen J, Upmann M. Contribution of the main contaminating materials during pig slaughter to the microbial numbers on carcasses . Letters in Applied Microbiology. 2024;77(12)."},"isi":"1","year":"2024","doi":"https://doi.org/10.1093/lambio/ovae125","date_created":"2025-04-14T13:21:45Z","department":[{"_id":"DEP4029"}],"date_updated":"2025-06-25T13:09:31Z","user_id":"83781","article_number":"ovae125","keyword":["bile","stomach content","intestinal content","tubular rail fat","carcass contamination","slaughter hygiene"],"_id":"12784","language":[{"iso":"eng"}],"quality_controlled":"1","place":"Oxford"}]