Extensive media coverage of campylobacter contamination in raw chicken may have caused the recent decline in chicken sales at UK groceries.

Market research company Kantar Worldpanel reports that chicken purchases in UK retail outlets have dropped  in terms of volume and sales by 7% and 4%, respectively, compared to this time last year.

Kantar Worldpanel said the heightened news around campylobacter on chicken likely contributed to the lower chicken sales, besides other factors like increased spending power leading to the purchase of more expensive meats.

Campylobacter bacteria are known to cause gastroenteritis.

Food safety concerns in the UK this year largely dealt with campylobacter in chicken. Campylobacter contamination in chicken first surfaced after a whistleblower at a poultry factory revealed alleged violations of hygiene rules by two major chicken producers.

Later this year, the UK's Food Standards Agency divulged that 70% of fresh whole chickens bought in the UK had certain levels of campylobacter contamination.