Over 90 per cent of campylobacter outbreaks at catering venues in 2011 linked to undercooked chicken liver pate

2 December 2011

Across a total of 18 outbreaks of Campylobacter infection in England this year, 443 people became unwell and one person was hospitalised. Poultry livers carry a particularly high risk of Campylobacter as the bacteria can be present throughout the liver, not just the surface as is the case for poultry meat, and may remain a source of infection if they are not cooked sufficiently.

Fourteen outbreaks occurred in catering venues and 13 of these were linked to chicken or duck liver pate. The outbreaks occurred across England and seven were linked to wedding receptions at hotels, banqueting venues or public houses and six were associated with catering at other functions such as hotels, clubs and restaurants.

HPA investigations into these outbreaks revealed that livers used to make the parfait or pate were undercooked allowing the liver to remain pink in the centre. Chefs and other caterers can reduce the risk of their customers becoming infected by ensuring that Campylobacter is killed through proper cooking and by avoiding cross-contamination to other foods.

The FSA issued updated advice to caterers on the safe handling and cooking of livers twice in 2010, but Campylobacter outbreaks associated with the consumption of chicken liver pate have continued to occur.

Bob Martin, head of foodborne disease strategy at the FSA, said: “Unfortunately, levels of Campylobacter in most raw chicken are high so it’s really important that chefs cook livers thoroughly to kill any bacteria, even if recipes call for them to be seared and left pink in the middle.

“The only way of ensuring the pate or parfait will be safe to serve to your guests or customers is by cooking the livers the whole way through. Caterers should also follow good general hygiene practices when cooking and handling poultry livers, to avoid cross contamination with Campylobacter.”

Campylobacter is the most common cause of bacterial food poisoning in Britain and there were estimated to have been more than 600,000 cases in 2010 just in England and Wales. Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach pains and cramps, fever, and generally feeling unwell, though vomiting is uncommon. Illness suffered by most cases start to clear up after two to three days of diarrhoea and 80 to 90 per cent recover within one week. Severe long-term after-effects following infections are rare but do also occur.

This increase in the number of outbreaks linked to undercooked chicken liver pate has been continuing since 2009 when the number reported trebled to nine from three in 2008, and increased by a further 36 per cent by 2010 when there were 14 outbreaks.

Dr Christine Little, an expert in gastrointestinal infections at the HPA, said: “The increase in outbreaks which are due to the consumption of chicken liver pate has been steadily increasing over the last few years. Not only is this dish popular in food recipe magazines it is being served in a variety of different catering venues.

“Illness occurs because the livers are only cooked until they are pink and inadequate cooking will not be sufficient to kill the bacteria. Both the public and the catering industry need to be aware that undercooking this product can result in food poisoning.

“If you are planning a wedding or other special event and are planning on serving chicken liver pate you need to liaise closely with your chef on how the dish will be cooked otherwise there is a risk that people could become unwell.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. A report, entitled ‘Foodborne outbreaks of campylobacter associated with consumption of poultry liver pâté/parfait at catered events’ will be published in the Health Protection Agency’s Health Protection Report (http://www.hpa.org.uk/hpr/ ) on Friday 2 December. Embargoed copies are available in advance from the HPA press office.

2. The Food Standards Agency guidance on cooking livers can be found here: http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2010/jul/livers

3. Details of the Food Standards Agency’s Campylobacter Risk Management Programme, which is targeting a number of actions at points along the food chain to reduce levels of campylobacter in UK produced poultry, can be found here:
http://www.food.gov.uk/safereating/microbiology/campylobacterevidenceprogramme/  

4. How can you avoid getting infected with Campylobacter?

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water:

- before preparing and eating food
- after handling raw food
- after going to the toilet or changing a baby's nappy
- after contact with pets and other animals
- after handling raw food packaging or the bin

• Keep cooked food separated from raw meat and poultry
• In the fridge store raw foods in a covered container and below cooked or ready-to-eat foods to prevent contamination.
• Cook food thoroughly, especially meat, so that it is steaming hot all the way through reaching a core temperature of 70°C for two minutes, as this will destroy any Campylobacter
• Keep all kitchen surfaces and equipment including knives, chopping boards and dish cloths clean
• Pay special attention to hygiene during farm visits, washing hands after any contact with animals, and eating only in designated areas.
• If someone you know gets a Campylobacter infection, wash all dirty clothes, bedding and towels on the hottest cycle of the washing machine. Clean toilet seats, toilet bowls, flush handles, taps and wash hand basins thoroughly with detergent and hot water, followed by a household disinfectant.

5. The Health Protection Agency is an independent UK organisation that was set up by the government in 2003 to protect the public from threats to their health from infectious diseases and environmental hazards. In April 2013, subject to the usual approvals procedures for establishing new bodies, the Health Protection Agency will become part of a new organisation called Public Health England, an executive agency of the Department of Health. To find out more, visit our website: www.hpa.org.uk or follow us on Twitter@HPAuk.

6. The Food Standards Agency is an independent Government department responsible for ensuring the safety of food in the UK, from farm to fork. It also protects consumers through effective food monitoring and enforcement and provides advice to consumers and businesses on food safety.

7. For more information please contact the national HPA press office at Colindale on 020 8327 7901 or email colindale-pressoffice@hpa.org.uk.  Out of hours the duty press officer can be contacted on 020 8200 4400. The FSA press office can be reached on 020 7276 8888 and out of hours on 07623 978344.
 

Last reviewed: 1 December 2011