Campylobacter-free poultry not expected soon

Antimicrobial metals containing plastics can be applied to diminish surface contamination

Campylobacter jejuni is easily transported around the farm so it may be difficult to stop the spread of infection between houses once it becomes established.

Depopulation or "thinning" practices in chicken flocks is known to increase the likelihood of infection in live birds and the crates they’re transported in to the slaughterhouses offer ideal conditions for cross contamination.

Contaminated chicken knowingly sold, people might be alarmed to know that the poultry industry is producing and retailers are selling chicken they know to be contaminated with the dangerous bacteria.

In a survey by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) five years ago, nearly two thirds of all chicken sold was contaminated. Birds identified as having the bacteria can be sold for human consumption on the grounds that they present no risk to health as long as they are handled and cooked properly.

FSA admitted earlier this month that no progress had been made in reducing Campylobacter and it remained the most common source of food poisoning in the UK, killing around 110 people each year.

Reducing Campylobacter is a top priority for the FSA as it remains the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK, killing around 110 people each year.

Out of an estimated total of around one million cases of foodborne disease each year, Campylobacter is considered to be responsible for around 460,000 and 22,000 hospitalizations. It also accounts for a third of the cost of the burden of foodborne illness in England and Wales, estimated at more than £583m. The most likely source of cross infection in the processing plant is from gutting the chicken and removing the feathers.

Despite putting in place measures to stop cross contamination, the processing plants are having little success eradicating it. The antimicrobial action of Biomaster is silver ion technology. Silver is a natural antimicrobial that has been used to prevent the growth of bacteria, said the firm.

Antimicrobial metals can be incorporated into plastic during manufacture, and becomes part of the finished product making it more hygienic, whilst providing antimicrobial protection and reducing the threat of cross contamination and because it is inorganic it can’t leach out or be washed off.

Source: Biomaster silver trails