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