The latest retail survey carried out by the Food Standards Agency found that campylobacter is present in almost three-quarters of all supermarket chicken sold.
Research within the UK and US has also shown that while there has been a progressive move to pre-pack fresh chicken, the outside of packs, including cook in the bag chickens, are also sometimes contaminated with campylobacter.
The new anti-bacterial bag for life could find even more popularity after the introduction of a 5p charge on disposable plastic bags in supermarkets last month.
Some scientists have warned this would lead to an increase in campylobacter cross-contamination, as international studies have shown that an increase in the use of bags for life can lead to a spike in illness rates as shoppers place new items in bags already used to store raw meat and vegetables.
The antibacterial bag for life is on sale from Amazon and Stafford-based Addmaster (UK) is in talks with retailers to introduce a new bag for life with the technology.
“Multi-use bags are a concern of many industry experts and this bag provides a solution to the problem,” says food safety expert Dr Lisa Ackerley.
“With Biomaster protection built into the bag there is the added bonus of reducing the likelihood of cross-contamination of dangerous bacteria such as campylobacter.”
Contact: Addmaster (UK)