Continued reduction in campylobacter levels in UK-produced chickens

The major UK retailers have published* their latest results from testing of campylobacter in UK-produced whole chickens.

The latest figures from July to September 2018 shows that 3.5% chickens tested positive for the highest level of contamination of campylobacter, which is lower compared to the same date period last year (4.6% July to September 2017) and similar to the last set of published results (3.7% April - June 2018).

We’d like to remind consumers that the risk of becoming unwell from handling and eating chicken is low in Scotland providing you follow good hygiene and cook properly. Find more information on our website about food safety and cooking.

The average percentage of chickens in each band of campylobacter contamination from the retailers results can be seen below:

	<10 cfu/g	10-99 cfu/g	100-1000 cfu/g	Over 1000 cfu/g
Jul-Sep 2017	48.7%	28.3%	18.4%	4.6%
Oct-Dec 2017	57.7%	22.0%	16.7%	3.6%
Jan-Mar 2018	59.1%	23.9%	13.2%	3.8%
Apr-Jun 2018	60.6%	23.3%	12.5%	3.7%
Jul-Sep 2018	58.8%	26.7%	11.0%	3.5%

*The latest campylobacter testing results (July - September 2018) published by retailers: