Food Safety News – January 2011
UK Food Standards Agency and industry set new target to tackle Campylobacter in poultry
Last month we reported on the large percentage of Campylobacter outbreaks associated or linked with consuming chicken liver parfait or pâtė. The Food Standards Agency and industry have now agreed a new target that will measure efforts to reduce the levels of Campylobacter in raw poultry.
The Food Standards Agency, the UK poultry industry and major retailers have now agreed a new target that will measure efforts to reduce the levels of Campylobacter in raw poultry. The new target is for the industry to reduce the numbers of the most contaminated birds in UK poultry houses from 27% to 10% by 2015. Almost two thirds of raw chickens sold in the UK are contaminated with campylobacter. It is estimated to make more than 300,000 people ill and cause about 80 deaths every year.
The Agency estimates that achievement of this target could mean a reduction in campylobacter food poisoning of up to 30%; some 90,000 cases per year. Options being considered to reduce campylobacter levels in the slaughterhouse include better hygiene measures on farm, hot water treatment or steaming chicken carcasses, the use of electrolysed water, and anti-microbial washes such as lactic acid. (Such washes would require approval from EC).
Another option might be for pre-packed chicken on retail sale to be packed in ‘modified atmosphere packaging’, which raises the levels of oxygen inside packs to slow the rate at which bugs multiply.
Better leak-proof packaging could also help prevent the spread of the bacteria to other foods or surfaces in the kitchen. More information on the targets and the draft Risk Management Programme at:
http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/campytarget.pdfUndercooked chicken liver causing Campylobacter food poisoning
One final thought: it is estimated that 20% of UK Campylobacter cases come from abroad. Dr Lisa Ackerley gives advice to tourists in BBC1’s new day-time programme “Save My Holiday” starting at 11.00am, 31st January 2011.
Please call us on 01727 866779 or email info@hygieneauditsystems.com for more information
