Costs and benefits of controlling Campylobacter in the Netherlands - integrating risk analysis, epidemiology and economics.

A combination of decontamination with a chemical such as lactic acid and technical measures to reduce leakage of feces during slaughtering have been shown by model calculations in a Netherlands study to be the most economic method to improve the safety of broiler meat. Campylobacter bacteria form the most common bacterial cause of foodborne infections in the Netherlands, with approximately 80,000 cases of gastroenteritis per year. Of the many different routes by which humans can be exposed to Campylobacter, the most important are the consumption of broiler meat and other raw food products, and direct contact with animals. Results above are derived from a multidisciplinary study on the costs and benefits of measures to reduce the contamination of broiler meat. Model calculations also showed additional hygienic measures to theoretically reduce the contamination on broiler farms, but it is not yet clear what exact measures should be taken. In the short term, more effect can be expected from additional measures in the processing plant to reduce the level of contamination of meat. Model calculations indicate that in the Netherlands alone, this would result in the prevention of 12,000 cases of gastrointestinal illness per year. Successful implementation of these measures will require additional studies on a practical scale. Because of unfamiliarity and additional costs, there is little support for measures among consumers and industry. Therefore active communication will be paramount.