September 17, 2013

UK to tackle campylobacter in poultry production

The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) agreed to target campylobacter in poultry production and to require reporting of campylobacter levels all along the supply chain.

It would also require dropping regulatory barriers to the adoption of what it calls "new and effective technological innovations for reducing campylobacter risks at all stages in the food supply chain," and using regulations as necessary to "drive changes in behaviour and approach."

Five years ago, FSA's own study found 65% of the chicken for sale in UK shops was contaminated with campylobacter, which is the most common cause of foodborne illnesses in the UK, making 460,000 people sick, sending 22,000 to hospitals, and causing about 110 deaths annually.

Catherine Brown, FSA's chief executive officer, called for a "shift in culture" by both the government and the poultry industry.

FSA plans to revise how the British poultry industry works, starting with improving farm biosecurity and continuing with steps to prevent carcass contamination during slaughter. Packaging is one of the things the industry wants to explore changes which might reduce cross-contamination by both food services and consumers.

Etta Campbell, an FSA board member, said the issue needed a greater "sense of urgency." Steve Wearne, a co-author of the paper, said there's been a lot of disappointment because campylobacter levels monitored during the past 12 months showed no improvement from the high levels recorded in 2007 and 2008.

Campylobacter and salmonella contamination is also a problem in the US. However, USDA has not been able to change its 1950s-style carcass inspection system that focuses more on feathers and bruises than on deadly pathogens.