Irish Chicken Contains Harmful Bacteria, Says Study

The European Food Safety Agency said about 98% of the chicken produced in Ireland is contaminated with a potentially harmful bacteria.

In 2008, in a study of 26 EU countries, the agency found Irish chicken had the second highest incidence of campylobacter, a naturally occurring bacterium found in the intestinal tract of livestock and poultry.

The level of incidence in the country was nearly one-third higher than the European average, the agency said.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland said a study has found that 13% of external surface packaging on chicken products, and 11% of retail display cabinets, are contaminated with campylobacter.

In 2008 the bacteria was reported to be responsible for 1,758 cases of food poisoning with estimates of 1,823 cases for 2009.