FSAI Advises on Need to Control Campylobacter Contamination
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today noted the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) study which has shown that there is a high level of Campylobacter contamination in poultry carcasses in slaughter plants throughout Europe, with the majority of carcasses in Irish plants having some level of contamination. It states that EFSA’s study is pertinent to the findings of a recent FSAI survey, which examined the prevalence of Campylobacter on the surface of chicken packaging sold in Irish retail outlets. The FSAI report, which is currently being finalised, highlights that 13.2% of the external surface of chicken packaging and 10.9% of the surface of retail display cabinets were contaminated with Campylobacter species. In light of EFSA’s and the FSAI’s findings, it reiterated its call to the Irish retail sector to source chicken products from producers using leak-proof packaging solutions or to provide customers with specific bags to prevent leakage of potentially contaminated poultry juices.
According to Professor Alan Reilly, CEO, FSAI the findings of both studies provide significant data for the FSAI’s Scientific Committee which is currently working with the food industry and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to look at practical measures to form the basis of a Campylobacter control programme in Irish chicken. Campylobacter infections can cause acute gastroenteritis with diarrhoea and/or vomiting, and can be severe and life threatening in vulnerable people, such as the very young, the old and those with any underlying health condition. Similar to all bacteria found naturally on meat and poultry, the danger posed by Campylobacter can be removed by thoroughly cooking products and by preventing cross-contamination between raw meat and ready-to-eat foods.
The preliminary findings from the FSAI survey which involved examining 785 packaging surfaces and 785 display cabinet surfaces shows that cross-contamination can occur from a whole chicken, if the packaging allows the meat juices to leak out. This can cross contaminate other food products and is especially serious if it leaks on to food which will not be cooked prior to consumption. The survey found less contamination (2.1%) on the external surface of packaging designed to prevent leakage, by comparison to the conventional packaging (18.9%), where plastic is wrapped around the tray and sealed underneath and is more prone to leakage of juices.
Professor Alan Reilly stated that practical measures can be undertaken to decrease the health risk posed by these bacteria found mainly on whole chickens.
“Leak-proof packaging can provide a significant barrier to the spread of Campylobacter and we have asked retailers to source chicken products from producers using leak-proof packaging solutions. Where chicken is sold in conventional packaging, retailers have been asked to review their food safety management systems to control the risk of Campylobacter spreading to ready-to-eat foods. For conventional packaging, we would recommend that retailers consider providing specific bags to place the chicken in and therefore, better protect against leakage.”
Internationally, it is estimated that handling and preparation of chicken and consumption of undercooked chicken meat accounts for approximately 30% of human cases of bacterial Campylobacter. In Ireland, Campylobacter is now the number one cause of foodborne illness, with some 1,758 cases of campylobacteriosis reported in 2008 and provisional data for 2009 shows 1,823 cases reported.
“Campylobacter is a naturally occurring bacterium found in the intestinal tract of livestock and poultry used for food production and can therefore, be transmitted through a variety of foods of animal origin,” says Prof Reilly. “We remind caterers and retailers of their legal obligation to use good hygienic practices at all times to prevent cross-contamination between raw poultry and ready-to-eat food, to always store raw poultry correctly, and never to sell undercooked poultry.”
“Caterers and retailers should be handling and storing raw poultry correctly to avoid cross-contamination with ready-to-eat food. Hands and utensils should always be washed after handling raw poultry, and poultry should be cooked thoroughly until there is no pink meat and the juices run clear,” said Prof Reilly.
The FSAI also recommends that consumers should play their role too to protect themselves, by taking simple measures to avoid Campylobacter contamination.
“Consumers can also protect themselves and prevent contamination of their foodstuffs by being mindful of some key practises, such as: when shopping, designating a bag for packing raw poultry and raw meats only; always washing hands after handling raw poultry; storing raw poultry in the fridge separated from ready-to-eat foods; and always cooking poultry meat thoroughly, until there is no pink meat and the juices run clear”, Prof Reilly concluded.
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See our FAQs on Campylobacter
See the European Food Safety Authority press release and report