Campylobacter Risk the Threat of Campylobacter Infection Has Recently Been Highlighted by a Number of Research Studies

FOOD

Campylobacter risk The threat of Campylobacter infection has recently been highlighted by a number of research studies. We review the findings and examine precautionary measures that can be taken by consumers and retailers

Campylobacter is a naturally occurring Food Safety Authority (EFSA). A broiler established best practice. Seven hundred bacterium found in the intestinal tract of is a chicken that has been raised for its and eighty five samples, each consisting wild and domesticated birds and meat. The results of the study were of one swab from the exterior of the mammals. Campylobacter is the most published in March 2010 and showed chicken packaging and one swab from common cause of bacterial that there is a high level of the cabinet displaying that package, were gastroenteritis in Ireland and Europe. Campylobacter contamination in poultry taken by environmental health officers There were some 1,758 cases of carcasses in slaughter plants throughout (EHOs) from retail establishments in infections reported in Ireland in 2008 Europe (the EU prevalence was 75.8%), Ireland between September and and provisional data for 2009 shows with 98% of carcasses in Irish plants December 2008. that 1,823 cases were reported. having some level of contamination. The Almost two thirds of the packaging Human Campylobacter infections study took place from January to sampled by the FSAI was conventional cause intestinal inflammation leading to December 2008 and involved 10,132 (i.e. the plastic covering wrapped around acute gastroenteritis with diarrhoea and broiler batches sampled from 561 the tray and sealed underneath), while sometimes vomiting. The infection can slaughterhouses in 26 EU states, as well one third was leak-proof (i.e. the plastic be severe and life threatening in as the two non-member states. The EFSA wrapping sealed onto the tray). vulnerable people, such as the very described the findings as ‘alarming’ and Campylobacter species were detected on young, the old and those with any said the results of the survey support the the exterior of 18.9% of the underlying health condition. view that broiler meat is a significant conventional packaging and 2.1% of the Most cases of Campylobacter food-borne source of human leak-proof packaging. Campylobacter infections occur as isolated events, not as campylobacteriosis in the EU. species were detected on 13.9% of part of recognised outbreaks, and many display cabinets in contact with cases go undiagnosed or unreported. FSAI study conventional packaging, but on only Two recently published reports have The Food Safety Authority of Ireland 2.6% of display cabinet surfaces in highlighted the urgent need to introduce (FSAI, see Useful contacts) also published contact with leak-proof packaging. measures to reduce the incidences of results of a survey on the prevalence of Approximately one third of the AT A GLANCE Campylobacter infection. Campylobacter earlier this year. The sampled chicken packages provided national survey looked at the prevalence handling, preparation and/or cooking EFSA report of Campylobacter species on the external instructions on the front of the label. Of EFSA report. An EU-wide baseline survey on surface of chicken packaging sold in the 381 samples which did not provide Campylobacter prevalence in broiler Irish retail outlets and on the surface of such instructions on the front of the FSAI findings. batches, and Campylobacter and display cabinet shelves. The research also label, 63% carried them on the reverse. Handling poultry – Salmonella on broiler carcasses was sought to establish whether handling To view this information the consumer advice. carried out in 2008 by the European and cooking instructions deviate from must either peel off the label (which can

248 consumer choice JULY/AUGUST 2010 FOOD be difficult to do), or look at it through having to touch the internal surface of ADVICE ON HANDLING POULTRY the plastic film. This latter practice could the packaging. Labels on whole birds encourage consumers to touch the should not advise consumers to wash the The health threat posed by the internal surface of the packaging which bird. If a bird needs to be cleaned then Campylobacter bacteria can be minimised would be expected to be more this should be done by wiping the cavity through basic precautions to avoid contaminated than the external surface. with damp kitchen paper which should infection. The FSAI advises: Of the 365 samples which were be carefully discarded immediately, and • when shopping, designate a bag for identified as whole birds on the hands thoroughly washed afterwards. raw poultry and raw meats only; questionnaire, 6.8% carried instructions The findings of both studies provide • always wash hands after handling advising customers to wash the whole data for the FSAI’s Scientific Committee raw poultry; bird or the cavity of the bird prior to which is currently working with the food • store raw poultry in the fridge cooking. This instruction is contrary to industry and the Department of separated from ready-to-eat foods; current best practice advice and can lead Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to look at • always cook poultry meat thoroughly, to the spread of Campylobacter around practical measures to form the basis of a until there is no pink meat and the the kitchen in water droplets. Campylobacter control programme for juices run clear. A further finding of importance from Irish chicken. the study is that Campylobacter species were detected on 19.5% of packages Our findings instructions were on the front or on containing whole birds, compared to The results from the FSAI survey clearly the reverse of labels. 3.2% of packages containing chicken indicate that if chicken is in leak-proof • Whether labels advised consumers not portions. Some studies in Ireland and packaging, the risk of cross- to wash the whole bird. other countries have shown that whole contamination is lower. However, if In many instances we found that the birds are more contaminated than chicken is sold in trays wrapped in cling- recommended measures which are chicken portions. film, condensation can build up during intended to minimise the potential risk chilled storage and the liquid can drip of Campylobacter infections from Recommendations underneath the tray and loosen the seal. uncooked whole chickens are not being Following the publication of the results This leads to leakage through the bottom implemented. The whole chicken of the Campylobacter study, the FSAI of the packaging. Other factors which products we examined in Marks and reiterated its call to the Irish retail sector may lead to leakage include the Spencer, Lidl and Tesco were packaged in to source chicken products from permeability of the plastic used, packs sealed, hard plastic. One of the two producers using leak-proof packaging being stored tilted for display, and chickens we examined in Aldi was also solutions. Professor Alan Reilly, CEO of physical damage to the plastic through packaged in this leak-proof plastic. All of the FSAI, said: “Leak-proof packaging mishandling. When leakage occurs, it is the other chickens we examined in can provide a significant barrier to the possible for contaminated juices to get Dunnes Stores, Superquinn and Aldi were spread of Campylobacter and we have onto the chicken display unit or onto a packaged in cling-film type material asked retailers to source chicken customer’s hands. If the customer then which wraps in at the back rather than products from producers using leak- touches other ready-to-eat foods, the the sealed harder leak-proof plastic which proof packaging solutions. Where infection can spread, or a leaking has been recommended. Only the chicken is sold in conventional package could contaminate unpackaged backing label on the chicken in Marks packaging, retailers have been asked to ready-to-eat foods in the shopping and Spencer stated ‘Important! There is review their food safety management basket or shopping bag on the way no need to wash poultry before cooking.’ systems to control the risk of home. This is why consumers must be Both of the chickens we examined in Campylobacter spreading to ready-to- vigilant when handling uncooked Aldi and four of the whole chickens we eat foods.” chicken in supermarkets and at home examined in Dunnes Stores did not have In cases where chicken is sold in the and are advised always to separate raw the storage and cooking guidelines on conventional packaging, retailers should meat from ready-to-eat foods when the front of the label but rather on the take precautionary measures, including shopping, storing and preparing food. reverse of the label. It was impossible to displaying products on the flat and not Consumer Choice carried out a spot- peel these labels off to get the required in an upright position, removing check in six major supermarkets in May information. In Superquinn, it was noted products with damaged packaging from 2010 to see if retailers are following best that at least a third of the label on the display, and regularly cleaning and practice recommendations for the back of the Superquinn Irish Free Range disinfecting display cabinets and other display, packaging and labelling of Whole Chicken which our researcher areas in the shop which might become whole chickens. We visited six picked up was torn off so that it was contaminated (e.g. trolleys, baskets, supermarkets in Dublin and examined impossible to read the cooking and safety check-out conveyor belts etc.). The FSAI the packaging and labels of sixteen instructions. Furthermore, there were has also recommended that the practice chickens. We checked the following: three Superquinn Sage & Onion Stuffed of printing handling and cooking • Whether the chicken was sold Irish Chickens on display, and all had instructions on the reverse of a label wrapped in cling-film (which is sealed labels that were so faded, wet and should be discontinued and that all underneath the tray) or in leak-proof damaged that none of the instructions or instructions should be clearly visible on packaging (where the plastic is sealed information was legible. This is a cause the outside of the packaging. This onto the tray). for concern and we subsequently minimises the practice of consumers • Whether handling and cooking reported our findings to Superquinn.

FOOD JULY/AUGUST 2010 consumer choice 249 Useful websites CAI SPOT CHECK MAY 2010 Product retailer date packaging instruction label consumer European Food Safety checked type visible on exterior instructed not to Authority of packaging wash whole bird www.efsa.europa.eu Nature’s Isle Free Aldi 25/05 Cling-film No – guidelines were Label not visible Range Whole Chicken on reverse of label Food Safety Authority of Ireland Nature’s Isle Oven Aldi 25/05 Sealed hard plastic No - guidelines were Label not visible Ready Whole Chicken on reverse of label Abbey Court Lower Abbey Street Fresh Irish Stuffed Dunnes 25/05 Cling-film Yes No Dublin 1 Whole Chicken Stores Advice 1890 336 677 Fresh Irish Free Range Dunnes 25/05 Cling-film No - guidelines were Label not visible tel (01) 817 1300 Stuffed Chicken Stores on reverse of label fax (01) 817 1301 Fresh Irish Whole Dunnes 25/05 Cling-film No - guidelines were Label not visible email [email protected] Chicken Large Stores on reverse of label www.fsai.ie St. Bernard Fresh Dunnes 25/05 Cling-film No - guidelines were Label not visible Irish Whole Chicken Stores on reverse of label Safefood Helpline 1850 40 45 67 Fresh Irish Dunnes 25/05 Cling-film No - guidelines were Label not visible www.safefood.eu Whole Chicken Stores on reverse of label Ballymanor Fresh Lidl 25/05 Sealed hard plastic Yes No Irish Large Chicken

Marks & Spencer Marks & 25/05 Sealed hard plastic Yes Yes Oakham Chicken Spencer

Superquinn Irish Free Superquinn 27/05 Cling-film Yes but label was torn No Range Whole Chicken and partially illegible

Superquinn Sillan Or Superquinn 27/05 Cling-film Yes No Fresh Corn Fed Chicken

Superquinn Fresh Irish Superquinn 27/05 Cling-film Yes No Whole Chicken

Superquinn Essentials Superquinn 27/05 Cling-film Yes No Irish Whole Chicken

Superquinn Sage & Onion Superquinn 27/05 Cling-film Yes but label was wet Unknown as label Stuffed Irish Chicken and torn with no was damaged legible instructions

Moy Park Irish Tesco 25/05 Sealed hard plastic Yes No Whole Chicken

Response from retailers hygiene tips are clearly printed on the sale of chicken products.’ We contacted the retailers involved to outer labels of all leak proof packs.’ This Following our spot-check, we relayed check if they have a policy around these information corresponded with our our concern to Superquinn that the areas, in order to minimise the potential findings in the store. safety measures outlined to us were in Campylobacter contamination from Superquinn informed us that, fact not all being implemented when uncooked chicken products. Lidl following the publication of the we carried out our examination. They released a statement to the CAI stating European report on Campylobacter in responded by saying: “The packaging that: ‘All of Lidl’s fresh poultry is sold in March, they had ‘immediately Superquinn is using for all whole birds leak proof packaging. To ensure proper implemented the advice of the Food is the same. The bird sits on a tray and Report by handling of poultry products, storage Safety Authority of Ireland to ensure the tray is overlaid with cling film. The Sinéad Mc Mahon cc and cooking instructions as well as best practice in the merchandising and stores have been instructed to merchandise all products flat, therefore preventing spillages. As a business we choice comment are looking for a complete leak-free packaging; however, this is not available The CAI congratulates those retailers and suppliers which have already introduced policies aimed at minimising to us at present.” the risks of Campylobacter infection and which are now packaging chickens in deep trays with the plastic We also relayed our concerns to cover sealed onto the tray to replace cling-film. We urge all retailers and suppliers who have not yet done so to Dunnes Stores and Aldi regarding the come on board and implement the measures required to minimise the risk of Campylobacter infection from practice of using of cling-film packaging uncooked chicken products. We believe that these measures should not be voluntary but mandatory for all, and on whole chickens and printing storage that legislation should be introduced to ensure that the recommended actions are enforced. Clearly there are and cooking guidelines on the reverse cost measures involved, but can a price be put on consumers’ health? We acknowledge that if correct food of the labels. However, our safety advice is followed by consumers, the potential risk of Campylobacter infection is reduced. We strongly correspondence was left unanswered advise all consumers to read the storage and cooking guidelines on any chicken products they buy and to be and we are still awaiting a response vigilant when handling uncooked chicken both in supermarkets and at home. from both supermarkets.

250 consumer choice JULY/AUGUST 2010 FOOD