April 27, 2007

EU sets ambitious targets to reduce salmonella in broilers

EU veterinary experts at the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCOFCA) meeting has set an EU wide target for the reduction of salmonella in broilers.

According to a recent European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) survey, the bacteria is currently present in almost a quarter of the EU's broiler flocks.

The meeting concluded that EU member states should reduce salmonella in broilers to 1 percent or less by 2011.

From 2010, only poultry meat which has been proved to be salmonella-free will be allowed to be marketed in the EU.