A new scientific paper by JIP ORION published in the Microbial Risk Analysis journal, shows that the public health risk posed by Campylobacter cross-contaminated broiler flocks can be higher than previously assessed.
Scientists at DTU – Technical University of Denmark, Statens Serum Institut and Danish Veterinary and Food Administration / Fødevarestyrelsen conducted this study.
They assessed the impact of the Campylobacter cross-contaminated flocks on the risk of human campylobacteriosis posed by a meal prepared with fresh poultry meat originating from conventional Danish broiler flocks. Campylobacter species are the most common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans and contaminated poultry meat.
The study used a published risk assessment model informed with national surveillance data on (1) flock Campylobacter status and (2) contamination of chilled carcasses ready for consumption. The model estimated that in 2018, approximately 16% of the public health risk associated with broiler meat consumption could be attributable to carcasses obtained from cross-contaminated flocks.
The study’s findings can help to optimise risk mitigations along the Danish poultry meat chain.
Foddai, A., Nauta, M., Ellis-Iversen, J. (2023). A model using an inter-sectorial data integration process indicates that reducing Campylobacter cross-contamination at slaughter mitigates the risk of human campylobacteriosis effectively. Microbial Risk Analysis. 23, 100248.
Read this research article here.
