Interestingly 75% of respondents also said that retailers should be informing consumers on the proportion of chicken found to be at the highest level of contamination.
In 2010 industry and the FSA agreed to target ‘high-risk’ chickens and was aiming to reduce the incidence of illnesses caused by campylobacter. A ‘high-risk’ chicken is one with more than 1,000 colony-forming units per gram of neck skin from the chicken. The aim was to reduce the number of ‘high-risk’ chickens from 27% to 10% by the end of 2015.
Results have been published quarterly since 2014 when the campylobacter survey started. The results from December 2014 up until February 2016 have showed a reduction (from 19% to 11%) in positive results for the highest level of contamination.
The campylobacter survey will resume in August 2016 and is part of the ongoing efforts to reduce food poisoning associated with the bacteria. Campylobacter testing was postponed in April to enable testing methods to be reviewed in order to ensure the robustness of survey results continued.
Steve Wearne, Director of Policy at the FSA said “publishing surveillance data on campylobacter has prompted action from retailers and processors and we are now seeing progress. Our campaign has also raised awareness of campylobacter amongst the public and it is good to see from our research that it is customers and not just the FSA demanding action and information from retailers. We have always said that consumer power will ultimately push industry action”.
The latest survey will test 4000 fresh whole chilled chickens and run from now until July 2017. The samples will be taken from independent shops and all major UK retailers. The first results are anticipated in January 2017 and will be published quarterly.
The FSA have applauded both processors and retailers for the work they have done so far and the continued efforts of the industry will aid the reduction of campylobacter being a significant public health issue.
Further detail can be found in the full report from the FSA