February 19, 2008

UK addresses rise of campylobacter figures in poultry

A recent UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) meeting had discussed the rising rate of campylobacter in poultry.

Among the topics FSA discussed in the meeting, the latest figures on campylobacter in poultry flocks are one of the most major issues.

There are concerns that FSA's interventions in partnership with the poultry sector may not fulfill the plan target of 50 percent reductions of campylobacter in poultry, although the agency is currently trying to accelerate the reduction rate.

A separate paper will be submitted to the Board meeting regarding campylobacter in poultry. Although there has been a reduction in contamination levels in retail chickens, it is still widespread in flocks.

The development of a new tool meant to measure slaughterhouse hygiene has taken longer than expected. The tool's original aim is to allow slaughterhouse operators to identify methods to reduce contamination by human pathogens.

FSA said it hopes to develop a new slaughterhouse hygiene measurement by 2009, aimed at assisting operators to control the disease effectively and to know more about EU meat hygiene regulations.