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Campylobacter found on 73 per cent of chickens
raw chicken
Campylobacter is the biggest cause of food poisoning in the UK.
FSA publishes the final results from its year-long survey

More than 70 per cent of fresh, shop-bought chickens tested by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) tested positive for the bacteria campylobacter.

Published yesterday (29 May), these findings are the final set of results from a year-long survey.

From February 2014 to February 2015, the FSA tested over 4,000 samples of whole, fresh chickens and packaging bought from large retailers and smaller independent shops and butchers.

Key results from the year:
  • 73 per cent of chickens tested positive for campylobacter
  • 19 per cent of chickens tested positive within the highest band of contamination
  • 7 per cent of packaging tested positive for the presence of campylobacter
  • 0.1 per cent tested positive within the highest band of contamination


Four major retailers published case studies yesterday to demonstrate the results of their efforts to reduce campylobacter on their raw whole chickens. Data from Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, the Co-op and Waitrose shows 'significant' decreases, the FSA said as it welcomed the news.

Director of policy, Steve Wearne, commented: "I am absolutely delighted to see the really encouraging results from these four supermarkets and their suppliers. They are making a real difference to public health, helping to cut down on the estimated 280,000 people who get ill from campylobacter each year."

He challenged other retailers to achieve the same level of reductions and to demonstrate the impact of their campylobacter-reducing strategies.

FSA has confirmed it will begin a new survey this summer, again testing fresh whole chickens. This will allow the government body to assess the impact of steps taken by the food industry to tackle campylobacter.

Richard MacDonald, chair of the Acting on Campylobacter Together board, said: "I hope we continue to see further progress in our fight to significantly reduce or even eradicate campylobacter on chickens. Individual actions and cross-industry sharing of best practice are starting to have a real and tangible impact."

For the full report: http://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/full-campy-survey-report.pdf

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FIVP launches CMA remedies survey

News Story 1
 FIVP has shared a survey, inviting those working in independent practice to share their views on the CMA's proposed remedies.

The Impact Assessment will help inform the group's response to the CMA, as it prepares to submit further evidence to the Inquiry Group. FIVP will also be attending a hearing in November.

Data will be anonymised and used solely for FIVP's response to the CMA. The survey will close on Friday, 31 October 2025. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
CMA to host webinar exploring provisional decisions

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to host a webinar for veterinary professionals to explain the details of its provisional decisions, released on 15 October 2025.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, 29 October 2025 from 1.00pm to 2.00pm.

Officials will discuss the changes which those in practice may need to make if the provisional remedies go ahead. They will also share what happens next with the investigation.

The CMA will be answering questions from the main parties of the investigation, as well as other questions submitted ahead of the webinar.

Attendees can register here before Wednesday, 29 October at 11am. Questions must be submitted before 10am on 27 October.

A recording of the webinar will be accessible after the event.