UK firm develops broiler crates to help battle against campylobacter

UK Anglia Autoflow, a leading handling system firm, has developed a new range of bird crates with antimicrobial properties that can help battle against campylobacter.

The new range of its crates which incorporate antimicrobial protection uses the silver-based Biocote system.

Once the Biocote silver ion technology is incorporated into the crates at the manufacturing stage they can inhibit the growth of bacteria, such as campylobacter, on their surface, reducing the risk of crates becoming a source of contamination and infection in the poultry industry.

Campylobacter is the most common cause of food poisoning in humans and is commonly found in the guts of chickens.

Transportation crates used to carry chickens from farms to processing plants are known to get contaminated with the bug and can cross-contaminate and infect unrelated flocks.