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THE FOOD SAFETY Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has warned people to be extra vigilant when preparing chicken.
Dr Lisa O’Connor, chief specialist in food science at the FSAI, said that about half of Irish chicken contains campylobacter – a bacteria that can cause severe food poisoning.
A recent study by the UK’s Food Standards Agency shows that 73% of fresh whole chickens in the UK are contaminated with campylobacter.
O’Connor said the level of contamination between Ireland and the UK differs because the FSAI study tested birds both with and without skin, rather than just whole birds.
Campylobacter is more typically found on a chicken’s skin.
O’Connor said if a person gets food poisoning from this type of bacteria the most common symptoms are diarrhoea and abdominal pain, adding that in the most severe cases the ill-effects can last for a week or ten days.
She noted that there can be a gap of two to five days in between when a person comes into contact with the bacteria and when they get sick.
More common than salmonella
Provisional figures from the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre show that 2,617 people contacted them about getting campylobacter in 2014, while 261 people sought advice after contracting salmonella.
O’Connor said that due to the high prevalence of salmonella a few years ago, people are extra-cautious about cooking chicken thoroughly.
She said the thickest part of bird needs to reach 75 degrees to be fully cooked.
Meaning hopefully you’ll go from this:
To this*:
*Veg is optional
However, campylobacter is not usually contracted due to undercooking, rather cross-contamination when preparing the meat.
If you still feel like chicken tonight, here are some tips on avoiding this from happening:
O’Connor said that “too much of the burden is falling on consumer” in relation to campylobacter, and the FSAI is working with farmers, processors and retailers to try and cut down on the risk of contamination.
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I was diagnosed when I was 20. Now 33. My first medication didn’t work and I was getting worse so I changed to another medication. Thankfully it has slowed down the progression so to look at me you’d think I was grand. I have ongoing problems like constant headache, bladder issues (h have peed meself countless times) and trembling of hands and pins n needless and so on.
The most difficult part of ms for me is the mental side. It’s a lifelong illness so it’s always there BUT I never give up. It’s an awful disease but it is what it is. Always talk to somebody about your mind and h how you’re computing the daily madness of ms.
@Gareth Wogan: well done you are a strong man, eat a healthy diet and paced exercise, your still a young man and hopefully there will be a treatment for this auto immune illness
@nick mullen: my mistake I meant strong woman (in my case a senior moment)
@nick mullen: well I think I’m a man!!!!
Beautiful words. I have been diagnosed almost 5 years ago here in Ireland. it was hard because I wasn’t in my own country and English isn’t my mother language. I was a long time in hospital and after they sent me to rehabilitation. MS life is not easy, many hard day’s but never let it put you down you are beautiful and strong. Whishing you a great life full of happiness. You are not alone.
Huge kiss
Thank you for sharing.
Wonderful writing Rosie, brought a tear to my eye.
Wishing you two a long and happy life together.
A terrible disease, with somewhere between three and four times more women than men affected, but normally more aggressive in men. My brother was diagnosed a few years ago and it is a very tough battle.
Beautiful
I’ve no knowledge whatsoever about MS & am not remotely qualified to make a comment but from what I’ve just read now; just wanted to say thanks for sharing a bit about your life living with it: without sounding too corny, you’re an inspiration, woman.
Many, many years of happiness together ahead.
Good luck Rosie
Since been diagnosed myself I and others in the same boat understand yours and ours predicaments.
I hope you and your husband have a long and fruitful life.
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in October 2011, at the age of 55. I woke up one morning with numbness in my lower back and legs, I couldn’t feel my feet touching the floor. I saw my doctor and had an MRI to see if I had a disc problem, it was negative and she told me she feared MS. I was sent to a neurologist, had two more MRIs, and was told that night that I have four lesions on my spine MS. I tried every shots available but nothing worked. In 2015, my neurologist and I decided to go with natural treatment and was introduced to Natural Herbal Gardens natural organic MS Herbal formula, i had a total decline of symptoms with this treatment, the numbness, terrible back pains, stiffness, body weakness, double vision, depression and others has subsided. Visit Natural Herbal Gardens official website ww w. naturalherbalgardens. com. This treatment is a breakthrough for all suffering from Multiple sclerosis, i am strong again!
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