As part of Food Safety Week last week people across Britain are being asked to take the Chicken Challenge and help to halve the number of cases of campylobacter food poisoning in our homes.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is asking people to promise to:

• Bag and store raw chicken separately from other food, covered and chilled on the bottom shelf of the fridge;

• Not wash raw chicken as it splashes germs onto other surfaces;
• Wash everything that has touched raw chicken in soap and water, especially your hands and utensils;
• Check chicken is cooked properly – that there is no pink meat, it is steaming hot and the juices run clear.

The FSA estimates that about 280,000 cases of food poisoning a year can be traced to campylobacter – a germ found mostly on raw chicken. Campylobacter food poisoning usually develops a few days after eating contaminated food. Symptoms include:

• abdominal pain,
• severe diarrhoea and,
• sometimes, vomiting.

Some can have lasting effects, for example, irritable bowel syndrome.

The FSA wants to halve the number of cases of campylobacter poisoning by the end of this year and is calling for everyone – industry and consumers alike – to play their part to make this happen.

Cllr Nick Emmerson, Vice-Chair of the Housing, Economy and Business Committee, said:

“It’s crucial that people take great care when handling raw chicken and ensure that it is well cooked, with no pink meat. This is particularly important when cooking chicken on a barbecue. Don’t be careless and let food poisoning spoil your summer.

“Anyone who thinks they are suffering from food poisoning should see their GP and then contact the London Borough of Sutton’s Regulatory Services Food Team on 020 8770 5070020 8770 5070.”

A recent FSA poll found that 73% of people eat chicken each week in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Nina Purcell, FSA Director, said:

“It’s clear that we all love chicken, we just need to take the time and be even more committed to ensuring we do the little things in the kitchen to keep our loved ones safe.”

The Sutton Council Food Team will be giving out leaflets and answering questions related to campylobacter in a bid to cut the number of confirmed cases within the Borough. The leaflet has been produced in line with the FSA and its awareness programme towards the control of campylobacter.

The team were promoting Food Safety Week and the challenge in Sutton High Street last Tuesday, 19 May and later in the week.

To take the pledge and the chance to win some amazing prizes, visit the website www.food.gov.uk/chickenchallenge.