February 6, 2008

UK survey finds salmonella levels to be higher in battery poultry
 

A recent government survey has showed that organic laying hen farms have significant lower level of salmonella, said The Soil Association.
 

According to an article on Natural Choices, the association said this study reveals 23.4 percent of farms with caged hens are salmonella-positive while organic flocks and free-range flocks are only 4.4 percent and 6.5 percent positive respectively.

The study also showed that salmonella is most widely spread in the largest holding size category of more than 30,000 birds.

Emma Hockridge of the association's policy department said the research confirms the association's view that intensive systems could possibly have human health implications. She added that while salmonella food poisoning can be avoided through proper cooking of eggs and meat but anything that could reduce such health implications should be encouraged such as free-range and organic farming.