February 3, 2015

 

Results of new survey on campylobacter contamination of UK chickens awaited

 

 

The results of a new survey made by the UK Food Standard Agency (FSA) on campylobacter contamination of raw chickens sold in supermarkets, which will be released this month, will show whether the level of contamination has decreased or has been eliminated since November, when it was found that 70% of fresh whole chickens bought in the UK had certain levels of campylobacter contamination.

 

The November survey showed that of the 70% of fresh whole chickens showing some level of campylobacter contamination, 18% had campylobacter bacteria more than 1,000 colony forming units per gram, the highest level of contamination.

 

Campylobacter, which causes gastroenteritis, is the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK.

 

"The survey and its results continue to excite a good level of public and media interest and, in my view, play an important role in ensuring that retailers remain focused as a matter of urgency on making the improvements that consumers have every right to expect," FSA chief executive Catherine Brown told a board meeting last week.

 

"In short, we now need to see the commitments and investment from retailers and processors translated into sustained reductions in Campylobacter incidence and levels on fresh chicken", she added.

 

Purchases of chicken in UK groceries—both in terms of volume and sales—declined late last year following extensive media coverage of campylobacter contamination.

 

Campylobacter contamination in chicken first surfaced after a whistleblower at a poultry factory revealed alleged violations of hygiene rules by two major chicken producers.

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