12.5  Poultry and egg hygiene

Poultry consumption has greatly increased in recent years (Figure 12.10). Due to poor hygiene, poultry and poultry products are responsible for a number of foodborne illnesses including salmonellosis, staphylococcal food poisoning and botulism. Other, less common diseases include psittacosis or ornithosis, also known as parrot fever, which is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydophila psittaci, and ‘bird flu’, which is a viral disease that can affect both poultry and people.

Healthy, well-kept chicken
Figure 12.10  Healthy, well-kept poultry are good sources of protein from eggs and meat. (Photo: Pam Furniss)
  • From your general knowledge, what symptoms may occur following the consumption of raw eggs if they are contaminated with Salmonella?

  • Common effects are diarrhoea, fever and headaches, which may be signs of salmonellosis.

12.4.4  Methods of making milk safe

12.5.1  Poultry keeping and processing