Potentially fatal bacteria in 98% of poultry

A POTENTIALLY fatal bacteria that mostly affects toddlers is present in 98% of slaughtered Irish poultry — the highest in Europe, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

The bacteria, Campylobacter, is four times as potent as salmonella and can be life-threatening for the very young, the elderly and those with an underlying health condition.

A scientific report published yesterday by the FSAI shows that Campylobacter is the number-one bacterial cause of foodborne illness in Ireland.