TITLE:
Assessment of Beef Transportation Infrastructure from Slaughtering Facilities in Tanzanian Cities
AUTHORS:
Joseph Tenson Mwashiuya, Samwel Victor Manyele, George Mwaluko
KEYWORDS:
Slaughtering Facilities, Beef Transportation Infrastructure, Beef Quality Impacting Parameters, Compliance Index, Likert Statement, Beef Retailing Premises
JOURNAL NAME:
Engineering,
Vol.10 No.11,
November
29,
2018
ABSTRACT: This study presents the assessment of beef transportation infrastructure from slaughtering facilities in Tanzanian cities to the retail premises. The quality of beef consumed in many countries is questionable due to poor infrastructural development which may results into contamination and bacteriological infection. This study was carried out in Mbeya and Dar es Salaam where data was collected at the dispatch areas of 3 and 6 slaughtering facilities, respectively. At each slaughter facility, 10 vehicles selected randomly, were assessed. The assessment of beef distribution infrastructure was conducted based on 18 quality impacting factors established from the actual observation and literature review and conceptualized carcass distribution model. With exception to water tightness, painting and engine status during carcass loading, all the assessed beef quality impacting parameters were below 50%, indicating that beef distribution in the surveyed facilities were below the specification of food quality. Generally, the assessment of beef transporting facilities in connection to the first hypothesis of this study, indicted very weak compliance with the requirements, signifying that the vehicles are not acceptable for carcass transportation.