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NZFSA produces update on work related to Campylobacter

As concern around New Zealand’s high rates of campylobacteriosis continues, the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has put together a report which sets out, in easy-to-understand terms, the scientific research that NZFSA has collated on Campylobacter in food and the practical measures currently in place to contain it, as well as an update on what is happening in this regard overseas. The report, “A Background to Campylobacter” can be found in the ‘Consumer’ section of NZFSA’s website under ‘Foodborne Illness – Campylobacter’.

Campylobacter is naturally present throughout the environment - in water, on animals (including birds and pets) as well as being found on meat and food products.

However, our extensive research programme shows that, as far as chicken is concerned, there is no silver-bullet solution to New Zealand's high rates of human campylobacteriosis. While different interventions may offer reductions in hazard levels at certain points in the farm-to-fork continuum, it is a combination of measures that is more likely to achieve the greatest reduction in risk to consumers.

NZFSA's Director (Science) Steve Hathaway, who has just returned from attending a round of international conferences on Campylobacter, says: "NZFSA is considering some short-term measures that will decrease contamination rates in poultry. However, our aim has always been to focus on not just removing the high levels of the pathogen from the food chain, but to find ways to prevent it getting there in the first place."

For more information, see below.

Press releases

• NZFSA produces update on work related to Campylobacter, 14 August 2006

• Campylobacter problems not easily resolved: NZFSA Press Release, 14 July 2006

• NZFSA considers fight against Campylobacter. NZFSA Press Release, 10 July 2006

• NZFSA concerned at increase in human Campylobacter infection: NZFSA Press Release, 3 July 2006

Reports

• Transmission routes for Campylobacteriosis in New Zealand: ESR report, May 2006 (pdf 784 KB)

• Risk Profile:Campylobacter jejuni / coli in poultry (whole and pieces): ESR report June 2003 (pdf 1,283 KB)

• A Systematic Review of the Aetiology of Human Campylobacteriosis in New Zealand: July 2005 (pdf 420 KB)

• Detailed Campylobacter pathogen sheet (pdf 29 KB)

Research

• Ongoing collaborative research projects on Campylobacter and other pathogens

• Enteric Zoonotic Disease Research Steering Committee website

Resources

• Meet the bugs brochure (pdf 426 KB)

• Tips for keeping food safe at BBQs

• Preventing cross-contamination from meat, especially raw poultry

• Foodsafe Partnership website

Updated: 14 August 2006