RESPONSE TO ARTICLE-CHICKEN TAINTED BY MICE AND RATS

Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government

PRESS RELEASE BY THE MEC FOR AGRICULTURE CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENT, GAUTENG PROVINCE - MS. N. MOKONYANE Saturday 21st November 1998

RESPONSE TO ARTICLE IN SATURDAY STAR OF FEBRUARY 21, 1998 "CHICKEN TAINTED BY MICE AND RATS ON SA SHELVES":

The article appearing in the Sunday Star on 21st November is alarmist and factually incorrect. The Directorate of Veterinary Services of the Gauteng Department of Agriculture Conservation and Environment would like to assure the public that chicken bought from supermarkets in Gauteng is safe and that one in twelve chickens are not contaminated with potentially deadly strains of Salmonella.

The South African Poultry industry and Veterinary Authorities have stringent control measures in place to prevent contaminated product reaching the consumer. The Statement that one in 12 chickens on local supermarket shelves is contaminated with strains of Salmonella is incorrect. The true figure for the formal sector would be considerably less than even one in 10 000.

In the survey quoted in the article, 8% of the samples which were sent for further identification contained possible disease causing organisms, and even then at a very low concentration. This survey also included chickens obtained from the informal sector, and which were not slaughtered at abattoirs, in order to monitor all possible health hazards.

Comparative studies done around the world indicate that South Africa has a very low rate of contamination compared to most other countries. This is due to the serious and highly rigorous manner in which the South African Poultry industry carries out its hygiene control programs. Most of the salmonella food poisonings traced back to poultry products have, in fact, been proved to have come from poorly handled salad dressing and marinades.

Sources of Salmonella are not only from food but are found throughout nature including animals and man who can be carries. Many Salmonella infections are, in fact not caught from food but from the environment. The heading "Chicken tainted by mice and rats on SA shelves" leaves a horrific impression, which is incorrect. Salmonella typhimurium has been with us for many years, usually causing only mild symptoms in man, and although it is found in mice and rats is also found in many other species including man, who can be a carrier.

It is also important to know that all high protein foods whether of animal or vegetable origin carry the risk of bacterial contamination and should be handled with due care. It would be unfair to simply pick on chicken as a product. It for this reason that around the world health authorities recommend that precautions be taken by the consumer with all these products. For all meat and fish products for example the following recommendations are made;

• Keep in the refrigerator until use;
• Do not work with raw meat or fish were products eaten raw could come into contact with the meat or fish or its juices.
• Do not prepare meat or fish on the same cutting board as other food unless well washed and sterilised between.
• Ensure that all cloths used while preparing raw meat or fish or for wiping up the juices are sterilised before further use.

Wash hands thoroughly with warm water and soap after working with raw meat or fish and before touching other food, people or even your own face.

• Cook meat or fish well.
• Ensure that when cooking in a microwave that the product is well cooked.

The risk of buying a contaminated chicken product is very low and in the rare cast where this occurs proper handling and cooking will render it perfectly safe.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENT, GAUTENG PROVINCE

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