May 15, 2008

One third of EU turkey flocks have salmonella
 

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has found that one third of EU turkey flocks bred for human consumption contain some presence of salmonella in 2006/07.

About 30.7 percent of turkey farms tested posed infection risks and the results could influence future policies that aims to reduce salmonella levels at farms. Salmonella was also found in 13.6 percent of breeding turkeys.

Specifically, salmonella enteritidis and salmonella typhimurium were detected in 3.8 percent of turkey flocks meant for human consumption and 1.7 percent of breeding stocks. The two strains are mostly associated to human food infections.

The study tested a total of 539 breeding turkey flocks and 3,769 fattening turkey flocks from the EU and Norway in between October 2006 and September 2007, according to EFSA.