AbstractNon‐UV‐C dose and 0.005, 0.010, 0.016, 0.037, 0.065, 0.105, 0.127, and 0.199 J/cm2 were applied in inoculated agar plates and in inoculated caiman (Caiman crocodilus yacare) meat to investigate the reduction of Salmonella spp. Moreover, noninoculated caiman meat was submitted to the same treatments and was evaluated for color parameters (L*, a*, b* values, and ΔE) and lipid oxidation. The most effective Salmonella spp. reductions ranged from 6.72 to 7.13 log cfu/g, and from 2.47 to 2.88 log cfu/g in inoculated agar plates and caiman meat treated with 0.105–0.199 J/cm2 and 0.065–0.199 J/cm2 (p < 0.05), respectively. However, these doses increased (p < 0.05) L* values and lipid oxidation, while decreased (p < 0.05) a* and b* values. Therefore, UV‐C at 0.016 J/cm2 is an alternative technology to improve the bacterial quality of caiman meat without negative effects on oxidative parameters.Practical applicationsSalmonella spp. is a potential disease agent being the pathogen more commonly detected in meat and meat products. UV‐C has easy implementation in meat industry, low cost, rapid application, and lack of toxic wastes, which could be an alternative for food industries to produce high‐quality food products without the use of chemical agents to meet consumers demand. Otherwise, UV‐C may induce oxidation depending on type of food, lipid profile, and dose applied, which would limit the meat quality and their industrial application. In this study, eight UV‐C doses (0.005, 0.010, 0.016, 0.037, 0.065, 0.105, 0.127, and 0.199 J/cm2) were applied in inoculated agar plates and caiman meat to investigate Salmonella spp. reduction. Moreover, noninoculated caiman meat was submitted to the same treatments and was evaluated for color parameters and lipid oxidation. UV‐C at 0.016 J/cm2 is an alternative technology to improve bacterial quality of caiman meat without altering the oxidative parameters.