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Campylobacter in Poultry – Risk Management Strategy 2007 - 2010

4 Work Streams

Amendment 0

September 2007

This section sets out the work relating to Campylobacter that has been completed or is currently underway. This work is described under each of the main work streams:

4.1 Development and Implementation of Surveillance Activities;

4.2 Development and Implementation of Good Operating Practice and Hazard-based Controls;

4.3 Development and Implementation of Risk-based Controls

4.4 Development and Implementation of Monitoring Activities;

4.5 Risk Communication;

4.6 International Collaboration; and

4.7 Involvement of External Stakeholders.

For each of work streams 4.1 – 4.4, a short overview is given and the key objectives for the work stream are set out. Completed and current work associated with the particular work stream is then listed with a more detailed breakdown of this work found in Annex 1.

For the last three work streams, Risk Communication, International Collaboration and Involvement of external stakeholders, a brief overview of the key objectives or the main components of the work stream is given.

Annex 2 outlines the timetable for deliverables for the next twelve months.

Annex 3 contains a decision tree and intervention table currently used to inform decisions on hazard-based interventions. The table will be continually updated as scientific information comes to hand.

4.1 Development and Implementation of Surveillance Activities

4.1.1 Surveillance of Foodborne Illness

4.1.1.1 Key Objectives

• Accurately determine the incidence of foodborne human campylobacteriosis from poultry relative to other sources

• In cooperation with ESR and MoH, contribute to an effective surveillance programme that will enable demonstration of mid- and long term trends

• Apply genotyping of strains found at various points of the food chain to assist with food source attribution and other epidemiological studies.

4.1.1.2 Completed Work¹

• Campylobacteriosis in New Zealand: Results of the Magic Study

• A systematic review of the aetiology of human campylobacteriosis in New Zealand

• Evaluation of the foodborne disease outbreaks/human health surveillance interface

4.1.1.3 Current Work²

• Acute gastro-intestinal studies (NZFSA/ESR 2005-2007)

• Enhancing surveillance of potentially foodborne enteric diseases in New Zealand (NZFSA/Massey University and MidCentral Health, 2006-2008)

• Comparison of human and poultry Campylobacter isolates utilising MLST in two additional centres with those available in Manawatu (NZFSA/ESR and Massey University, 2007)

• Development and application of new tools for the analysis of Campylobacter surveillance data: identifying the spatial and temporal determinants of raised notifications in New Zealand (NZFSA/Massey University and ESR, 2007-2008)

• Systematic reporting of epidemiology of potentially foodborne disease in New Zealand (NZFSA/ESR 2007-2008)

• The relative contribution of food pathways to the burden of human campylobacteriosis in New Zealand (NZFSA/Massey University, 2005 – 2009)

4.2 Development and Implementation of Good Operating Practice (GOP) and Hazard-based Controls

4.2.1 Key Objectives

• To identify the most effective and practical intervention(s) and other (e.g. non regulatory) measures at relevant points in the food chain and ensure their implementation

• To establish a quantitative link between implementation of hazard-based controls and achievement of any performance targets that may be established

4.2.2 Completed Work³

4.2.2.1 Risk Profiles, Discussion Documents and Scientific Projects

• Campylobacter jejuni / coli in poultry

• Campylobacter on red meat and poultry offal

• Campylobacter on uncooked bovine, ovine and porcine meat

• Undercooked chicken livers as a vehicle for campylobacteriosis

• Campylobacter pathways discussion document

• Pathogen loading on freshly slaughtered chickens

• The effect of refrigeration on Campylobacter survival on poultry meat

• Domestic food practices in New Zealand – freezer survey

4.2.2.2 Good Operating Practice / Hazard-based Controls

• The joint NZFSA/PIANZ Poultry Industry Broiler Growing Biosecurity Manual

• Observations and documentation of current practices throughout the retail sector.

4.2.3 Current Work⁴

4.2.3.1 Science Projects

• On-farm factors for Campylobacter infection of poultry (NZFSA/ ESR 2006-2007)

• Assessment of domestic food handling practices (NZFSA/ESR 2006-2007)

• Resuscitation of putative viable but non-culturable foodborne bacteria of significance to New Zealand (NZFSA/ESR 2006-2008)

• Quantifying the reduction of Campylobacter jejuni on skin-on chicken breasts frozen and stored up to 10 weeks in a domestic freezer (NZFSA/ESR 2007-2008)

• Quantification of Campylobacter from internal and external rinsates (NZFSA/ESR 2007-2008)

• Effect of commercial freezing on reduction of Campylobacter on poultry (NZFSA/ESR 2007-2008)

• Leakproof packaging (NZFSA/ESR 2007-2008)

• Evaluation of on-farm risk factors (NZFSA/ESR 2007-2008)

• Effectiveness of current GOP on level of faecal contamination and cross contamination (NZFSA 2007-2008)

4.2.3.2 GOP and Hazard-based Controls

• Campylobacter intervention decision tree (see Annex 2)

• Table of interventions (see Annex 2)

• Confirmation of hazard-based intervention standard

• Poultry Processors Code of Practice – chapter on primary processing

• Poultry Processors Code of Practice – chapter on secondary processing

• Confirmation of changes to standards for retail/food service

• Audit of application of Poultry Industry Broiler Growing Biosecurity Manual

• Audit of application of Poultry Processors Code of Practice – chapter on primary processing

• Updated guidance material on safe handling of poultry meat and relevant time temperature applications

4.3 Development and Implementation of Risk-based Controls

4.3.1 Key Objectives

• To quantify the influence of specific controls at different steps in the food chain on risk estimates in NZ, and create a “menu” of such controls and the resulting risk estimates.

• To model “what if” scenarios for new controls that become available e.g. decontamination processes

• To demonstrate the most effective ways to manage the risk to the consumer from Campylobacter in poultry while ensuring practicality and feasibility of interventions

4.3.2 Completed Work⁵

• Comparative risk model: Campylobacter spp. In red meat and poultry

• Preliminary relative risk assessment for Campylobacter exposure in New Zealand (Enteric Zoonotic Disease Modelling Group) web link: http://www.zoonosesresearch.org.nz/

• Quantitative risk model: Campylobacter in the poultry food chain

4.3.3 Current Work⁶

• Secondary Processing of Poultry (NZFSA/ESR 2006-2007)

• Comparative exposure model: Incorporation of Campylobacter in poultry and red meat (NZFSA/ESR 2006-2007)

• Campylobacter in food and the environment, examining the link with public health (NZFSA/ESR, Massey University, MfE, NIWA, 2007 - 2010)

4.4 Development and Implementation of Monitoring Activities

4.4.1 Key Objectives

• Accurately determine the prevalence and level of Campylobacter in poultry (all species but beginning with broilers) in New Zealand considering each key stage of the food chain:

• at point of slaughter (reflecting farm practices);

• during processing;

• at retail (one-off studies or intermittent)

4.4.2 Completed Work⁷

• Establishment of the National Microbiological Database (NMD) programme for Campylobacter

4.4.3 Current Work

• Review of Campylobacter monitoring databases

• Campylobacter profile and trend analysis

• Establishment of a relevant performance target based on NMD results

• Evaluation of audit reports from NZFSA VA and CIG

• Establishment of performance monitoring targets

4.5 Risk Communication

4.5.1 Key Objectives:

• To proactively inform interested parties (both public and industry) of major developments, milestones and decisions (and the reasons for those decisions)

• To communicate via multiple methods, where appropriate, to ensure that interested parties have every opportunity to get the information they need, in the way they need it, in a timely manner

• To use existing NZFSA publications as much as possible as communication vehicles (Food Focus, 4degreesC, Food Connect, industry newsletters, NZFSA website, media releases, fact sheets etc)

• To use new and targeted communication channels as required and appropriate in order to reach those not otherwise covered

• To work with associations and groups along the farm-to-fork continuum in order to use, where possible and appropriate, existing channels those associations and groups already have in place (including continuing to educate consumers on safe food handling behaviours in the home)

• To ensure that the NZFSA website is the key repository of all information relating to this strategy, that it is updated as required and that the information can be easily accessed from the home page

• To develop communication strategies as appropriate to assist the achievement of these objectives

4.6 Current Work

• Website presentation of trends in New Zealand’s Campylobacter profile

• Consumer survey on knowledge, attitudes and beliefs with respect to Campylobacter in poultry, including acceptability of possible interventions.

4.7 International Collaboration

• Med-Vet-Net. The poultry model that has been developed by ESR is currently being evaluated by Med-Vet-Net collaborators together with similar models.

• Codex International standards. The Codex Alimentarius Commission is regarded as a key body for international food related standard setting activities. The Codex Committee on Food Hygiene has tasked New Zealand with leading the international risk-based standard for Campylobacter control in poultry. This is a five year project and the first working group has been held in May 2007.

• USDA-FSIS consumer handling. Potential collaborative work is being investigated.

• FSANZ. New Zealand is observing development of the poultry primary production and processing standard including a Code of Practice and associated guidance material that will apply to Australia.

4.8 Involvement of External Stakeholders

• Enteric Zoonotic Disease Research Steering Committee (administered by NZFSA)

• Science providers e.g. Crown Research Institutes, Universities

• District Health Boards and Territorial Authorities

• Industry associations, e.g. covering growers, processors, retail and food service

• NZFSA Consumers Forum

• NZFSA Academy

¹ Further detail on completed scientific work can be found in Annex 1 and full science reports are located at: www.nzfsa.govt.nz/science

² Further detail on current scientific work can be found in Annex 1

³ Further detail on completed scientific work can be found in Annex 1 and full science reports are located at: http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/science.

⁴ Further detail on current scientific work can be found in Annex 1

⁵ Further detail on completed scientific work can be found in Annex 1 and full science reports are located at: www.nzfsa.govt.nz/science

⁶ Further detail on current scientific work can be found in Annex 1.

⁷ Further detail on completed scientific work can be found in Annex 1 and full science reports are located at: www.nzfsa.govt.nz/science