Processing and retail strategies to minimizeCampylobactercontamination in retail chicken

Campylobacteriosis is the most commonly reported zoonosis in Ireland and European Union, posing a serious health burden with 9 million cases reported annually in the European Union. Chicken meat is recognized as a major source of human infections, with an estimated 20%–30% of cases of campylobacteriosis in the European Union attributed to the handling, preparation, and consumption of broilers. The application of strict biosecurity measures is the most effective method to prevent flock colonization. However, biosecurity measures alone will not be sufficient because broiler chickens are at constant risk of Campylobacter contamination. Therefore, specific post-slaughter interventions, for example, physical and chemical interventions such as irradiation, cold plasma treatment, chemical treatment, and cold processing also need to be considered. This review highlights the effectiveness of traditional and novel decontamination techniques at the processing stage. This review also discusses the key points at retail storage. Practical applications Campylobacteriosis is the most common cause of bacterial enteritis and remains the most commonly reported foodborne disease in the EU and has been so since 2005. Most cases of human Campylobacter infection are thought to result from handling raw poultry or eating undercooked poultry meat This literature review explores traditional and emerging techniques to reduce Campylobacter contamination in retail chicken through in-factory processing to retail display and consumption by the consumer. This paper potentially helps understand the efficacy of decontamination methods and how Campylobacter can be controlled at processing and retail stages.