Intertek offers expert Campylobacter testing from UK laboratories

06 Oct 2015

Campylobacter is the most common source of food poisoning in UK

Derby, UK - Intertek, a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide, has launched an expert Campylobacter testing facility for all poultry processors and manufacturers, to support the supermarket industry and help reduce the more than 280,000 suspected cases of Campylobacter food poisoning in the UK, every year.

Over the last few months, Intertek has been working with leading food manufacturer Faccenda to deliver expert Campylobacter testing into the supply chain. We have increased our facilities and expertise to launch a wider testing programme for the poultry industry, as it commits to tackling the most common source of food poisoning in the UK.

Last year there were 72,000 confirmed cases of Campylobacter, more than 100 deaths and a £900 million impact on the UK economy, according to the Food Standards Agency, which sees reducing Campylobacter in chickens as a priority and supports the work that Faccenda are doing.

Intertek Derby now offers a comprehensive and industry leading testing facility and staff with over 30 years poultry testing experience to support the increased demand this food poisoning threat is causing in the food industry.

John Searle, Global Quality & Technical Director for Intertek said: "At Intertek we work in partnership with our clients, so are able to respond swiftly to provide expertise and facilities that accommodate the immediate needs of the industry. The on-going work for our clients including Faccenda means that we have developed expert laboratories, fully equipped to tackle Campylobacter."

David Keeble, Technical Director of Faccenda Foods: "Intertek is our trusted testing partner as we at Faccenda work with the industry to find an effective intervention for the reduction of Campylobacter levels in poultry meat. This year Intertek have provided great support as we have continued to invest in new initiatives to combat Campylobacter."

Retail Services Director UK & Eire, Christine Smith said: "Intertek's global expertise in food testing, inspection and certification enables each Intertek UK site to draw on the company's wealth of technical and client experience to help clients stay at the cutting edge of innovation."

For more information, please contact: Joanne Merriweather, Tel: 07786 525390, joanne.merriweather@intertek.com

About Intertek:

Intertek is a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value for its customers by helping improve the quality and safety of their products, assets and processes. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 38,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies' success in the global marketplace, by helping customers to meet end users' expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit www.intertek.com.

About Faccenda Foods

Faccenda Foods is a vertically integrated food business delivering fresh and convenience food solutions for the UK retail and food service sectors. It is one of the UK's largest food businesses with a turnover of over £500m and 3,000 people situated across its UK chicken and turkey operations. Following the full integration of its chicken and turkey operations to become Faccenda Foods in 2014, the business has recently completed a major factory expansion programme at its Telford facility and will shortly complete the purchase of the Cherry Valley Foods duck business. Faccenda Foods is wholly owned by the Faccenda family and has been successfully supplying the UK consumer for six decades.