Free range hens 'food poisoning' scare

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[Probably because they aren't stuffed full of antibiotics.]

A study has found that free-range and organic chickens are twice as likely to carry a food poisoning bacteria than battery hens.

Initial findings from Government-sponsored research show significantly higher levels of campylobacter in flocks reared outdoors.

The bacteria is thought to be carried by wild birds which is one theory for the high levels in outdoor-bred flocks.

The study, led by Professor Tom Humphrey at the University of Bristol, investigated 60 organic and 130 conventional flocks.

He found campylobacter in 58% of indoor-reared flocked but in all the organic flocks. All the chickens studied were destined for human consumption.

Campylobacter jejuni and coli are the most commonly identified bacterial cause of food poisoning in the UK.

Prof Humphrey, professor of food safety and well-known for his work on bacteria in poultry and eggs, was unavailable for comment.

His research is sponsored by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

-- Anonymous, November 19, 2002


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