NZ Food Safety on target to reduce foodborne illness
New Zealand Food Safety is approaching its target to reduce rates of campylobacteriosis, the country’s most common foodborne illness, a new report has found.
The report, prepared for New Zealand Food Safety by the Institute for Environmental and Scientific Research (ESR), found that the rate of New Zealand-acquired foodborne illness caused by the bacteria Campylobacter has fallen from 88 to 77 cases per 100,000 population over the past 4 years.
New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said: “New Zealand Food Safety has made reducing campylobacteriosis rates a key priority, and we’ve made great strides in recent years.”
“Rates of infection more than halved between 2006 and 2020. In 2020 we set a target to reduce the rate by a further 20%, taking it to 70 cases per 100,000 by the end of 2024.
“These latest results show this goal is in sight, which is a testament to the combined and sustained work of government and industry over time.
“The Campylobacter Action Plan, put in place to help tackle the issue, mainly focuses on steps to reduce the levels of Campylobacter through the poultry food chain. We have worked with government, industry and NGOs right across the poultry food chain through the Campylobacter governance group with representatives from Ministry of Health, Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand, Foodstuffs North Island, Foodstuffs South Island, Woolworths NZ and Consumer NZ,” Arbuckle said.
The poultry industry has continued to improve processing practices over time, resulting in a sustained reduction in the proportion of birds that have detectable levels of Campylobacter at the end of primary processing.
While changes in the food supply chain have achieved good results, consumer awareness remains an important part of the effort as well.
“We know that about half of all foodborne illness is caused at home. These illnesses can be prevented with good food preparation techniques as well as proper cooking and storage,” Arbuckle said.
The report also provides data on other foodborne illnesses in New Zealand, including listeriosis, which remains steady with 37 cases notified this year in NZ.
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