Guardian report traces retail chicken scandal

Three of the UK’s biggest supermarkets have launched emergency investigations into their chicken supplies after an undercover investigation by the Guardian newspaper uncovered a series of alleged hygiene failings in the poultry industry.

The Guardian used undercover film, photographic evidence and information from whistleblowers to reveal how food industry hygiene standards to prevent the spread of Campylobacter can be flouted throughout the food production line.

Incidents identified recently include a factory floor flooded with bacteria-infested chickens guts, carcasses coming into contact with workers’ boots then returned to the production line and other poor practices involving points in the production chain that increase the risk of its spread.

The Guardian’s report has prompted Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer to launch emergency investigations into their chicken sources over the last week.

Campylobacter is present in two-thirds of British fresh chicken sold in the UK. The bug makes 280,000 people ill in the UK each year and 100 people are thought to die. Despite the best efforts of the Food Standards Agency, contamination rates are known to have increased in the past decade.

Campylobacter spreads easily through the supply chain and can be transferred from the packing plant to the outside of a meat tray, and from there to the supermarket shelf or a customer’s fridge.

Addmaster (UK) Ltd. is leading the fight back against Campylobacter and other dangerous foodborne bugs with Biomaster antimicrobial technology – an additive that can be incorporated into fresh meat trays to reduce the risk of contamination, safely and effectively.

Biomaster antimicrobial technology is also reducing the problem of cross-contamination during grocery shopping, by providing reusable bag for raw meat that you can use for life.

Developed by Addmaster and made exclusively by UK bag manufacturers Solent Group, the Biomaster anti-bacterial ‘bag for life’ is treated with technology proven to inhibit the growth of bacteria that might transfer between your bag and your groceries.

Biomaster antimicrobials can also be used to coat supermarket trolley handles to further reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

*Please note that Addmaster was acquired by the Polygiene Group AB in January 2021, so all news articles prior to that date will still be branded as Addmaster.