Campylobacter-free poultry not expected soon, says Addmaster

Campylobacter 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.

As a result, Campylobacter-free poultry is not expected to be available anytime soon, said Addmaster.

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.

Biomaster antimicrobial action​

The firm developed a product called Biomaster, which uses silver based antimicrobial additives​ and can help the food chain reduce the risk of bacterial cross contamination.

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.

Catherine Brown, chief executive of the FSA, is on record as having stated that the human and economic cost of Campylobacter is unacceptable.

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 hospitalisations.

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 proceesing 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, explained Addmaster.

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.

It 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.

Part of the solution​

Biomaster alone will not eradicate Campylobacter but when used in conjunction with biosecurity on the farm and in process plants and food hygiene around the home, it can provide protection against cross contamination on the majority of surfaces.

However, Biomaster is working with producers of broiler house feeders and drinkers and protective clothing manufacturers for stockmen and processing personnel to launch products offering built-in antimicrobial protection.

Packaging manufacturer Linpac also launched a range of Biomaster Protected meat trays and films​ to reduce bacteria growth on the outer packaging of fresh meat.