The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has acknowledged the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) study which has shown that there is a high level of Campylobacter contamination in poultry carcasses in plants throughout Europe. 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. 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.

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. 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.