Review of Canadian Literature to Estimate Risks Associated with Salmonella in Broilers from Retail to Consumption in Canadian Homes

Abstract

The objective was to review the literature related to the risk of salmonellosis from chicken consumed in private homes in Canada. The pathway of concern was retail-to-consumption at private homes due to the direct link between this pathway and public health. A qualitative review was conducted by searching Canadian governmental agencies' webpages, published peer-reviewed journals, and by contacting experts in the field. Overall, with the data available, estimating risk from Salmonella in chicken breasts using only Canadian information was limited. Enumeration data for Salmonella in retail raw chicken at different regions across Canada are needed to be able to generalize the risk of salmonellosis in the Canadian population. Few Canadian surveys were found to describe consumers' food safety behaviors at Canadians' private homes. Observational designs to study food safety practices and Canadian consumers' behavior in private kitchens are needed to ensure that consumer behavior is consistent with consumer perceptions of their behavior. The results of such studies will give valuable input for designing educational programs needed to increase awareness of safe food handling practices by Canadian consumers when preparing food at their homes.

Keywords:

• Retail-to-consumption
• food safety
• chicken
• food handling
• private homes
• cross-contamination

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Funding for this project was received from the Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, Public Health Agency of Canada, and a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Institute of Population and Public Health/Public Health Agency of Canada, Applied Public Health Research Chair.

Notes

More than one answer is allowed (CFC, 2007a).