International Microbiologist of the Year Title

13/09/07

NZ Poultry Industry Microbiologist awarded International Oxoid Young Microbiologist of the Year title

New Zealand Poultry Industry Association, Executive Director Michael Brooks, is delighted to announce that Jessica Roberts, the Tegel Christchurch Microbiology Laboratory Manager is the “Oxoid Young Microbiologist of the Year.”

Oxoid is one of the largest suppliers of microbiological media in the world. The competition is held annually and this is the first year that the competition has been open to candidates outside the UK.

“The poultry industry has been fully focussed on reducing the rates of campylobacter on poultry meat and this award is an outstanding recognition of these efforts,” Mr Brooks says.

Jessica received the prize for her work on Campylobacter in the Poultry Processing and Livestock operations in the South Island.

“The award is a reflection of her and her teams work in this very important area. It is also international acknowledgement of the great effort that many people in the industry are making towards our goal of reducing the levels of Campylobacter on chicken.”

Jessica will receive a trip to the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) meeting in Columbus, Ohio next year. She also plans to travel to London to receive the prize later this month.

Applications manager, food & industrial markets for Oxoid and chairman of the judging panel Cheryl Mooney says that Jessica impressed the judges with her proactive approach to establishing new methodologies that would allow Tegel Foods, the largest processor of chicken in New Zealand, to reduce levels of Campylobacter both on-farm and in processing.
“Jessica’s work had a considerable impact on food safety and, ultimately, human health. Her entry demonstrated team leadership and a determination to operate at the highest level. We are delighted to award her first prize,” Mrs Mooney says.

The New Zealand Poultry industry embarked on one of the largest surveys of Campylobacter on poultry carcasses in the world in October last year. The survey protocols were developed based on techniques reported internationally and in collaboration with both local and international experts. The protocols were subsequently used as the foundation by the NZFSA for Campylobacter surveillance which commenced in April 2007.

“The industry has been working hard to identify measures which need to be taken on the farm and during processing to reduce the levels of Campylobacter on chicken. The industry is starting to gain a much fuller understanding of what works and what doesn’t and with the implementation of appropriate measures across the industry this is translating into noticeable improvements in the rates of Campylobacter,” Mr Brooks says.

“The industry will continue its research programmes and the implementation of effective actions once they are identified. It is good to see that the efforts of the talented people we have working on this issue have been internationally recognised.”

While the industry remains focussed on combating the problem in the processing chain the public should always remember that as long as they follow the 4Cs rule – Clean, Cook, Cover, Chill - chicken is safe to eat.

ENDS

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