It is estimated that some 280,000 cases of Campylobacter are seen in the United Kingdom annually, according to the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Campylobacter Image/CDC
Campylobacter
Image/CDC

A new website dedicated to the bacterial disease, campylobacteriosis, to include campylobacter in the UK, research and information and awareness for consumers has been launched earlier this month by the Joint Working Group. The site is called Campylobacter and the link is http://www.campylobacter.org.uk/ .

The Joint Working Group behind the website is made up of organisations across the poultry industry, including the British Poultry Council (BPC), Defra, the FSA, the National Farmers’ Union and the British Retail Consortium.

The website says campylobacter is naturally occurring in the environment and lives in the gut of many animals, including chickens. Campylobacter is a common cause of bacterial food poisoning in humans. Food poisoning is not a new phenomenon, but the number of reported cases has increased steadily over the last few years. Food poisoning is almost always preventable when correct handling, storage and thorough cooking of food is observed. In fact, they say good kitchen hygiene in handling of raw chicken and thorough cooking will eliminate the risk of campylobacter.

Richard Macdonald CBE, chair of the Joint Working Group and former director general at the NFU, said: “The campylobacter website is a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to reassure consumers we are working hard to tackle campylobacter.

Campylobacter is a major source of food poisoning in the UK. Get the facts on how regulators and the poultry industry are combating this complex bug. Visit the website HERE