Campylobacter infections resulted in CHF50 million in medical costs
More than 10,000 cases of food poisoning are reported each year in Switzerland. Most cases are caused by campylobacter or salmonella-type bacteria with the former costing CHF50 million ($49.9 million) in medical costs last year.
The Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) wants to see a durable decline in the number of food poisoning cases, especially campylobacter infections which cause diarrhoea, it said at a press conference on Friday. A study by Professor Michael Siegrist of the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETHZ) shows that this kind of infection affects mainly men aged 18 to 30.
A websiteExternal link is central to the “Savour in Safety” campaign that targets young men. The campaign was first launched in 2016, and the number of campylobacter-type infections dropped slightly in 2017, according to the FSVO. However, there are still many cases especially during the barbecue season and during end of year celebrations.
+Read more about the Swiss love of meat and barbecues
Correct handling of poultry, which is the cause of many infections, is especially important, says the FSVO. It should always be heated to at least 70 degrees centigrade all the way through. Since bacteria can easily be transmitted from meat to kitchen utensils, hands and other foods, raw meat should be kept apart and prepared separately.
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