May 27, 2011

Danish pork a major source of salmonella

Although about 100% of Danish eggs and poultry are not affected by salmonella currently, pork is the main source of salmonella together with imported poultry, according to the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.

In 1997, when more than 5,000 Danes were infected by salmonella, eggs were the main culprit.

The salmonella-free status for Danish eggs and poultry is attributed to targeted campaigns from authorities and cooperation with poultry producers. The same measures are now being used to bring down salmonella infections in pork production. The efforts have already given results; salmonella infections caused by pork are down at 160 per year compared with the situation in 1993 when 1,100 Danes were infected with salmonella from pork.