German food safety authorities have released findings from their 2022 zoonoses monitoring and control programs, exposing concerns in the poultry, olive, and allergen sectors.

Poultry Meat Contamination:

• Campylobacter and Salmonella were more frequently detected in fattening ducks than in broiler chickens during the 2022 zoonoses monitoring.
• Fresh duck meat showed a higher incidence of Campylobacter compared to fresh chicken meat, emphasizing the importance of thorough cooking and strict kitchen hygiene.
• Contamination rates were 46% for fresh chicken meat and 60.6% for fresh duck meat. The contamination rate for retail fresh turkey meat was also noted.

Campylobacter and Salmonella Infections:

• 43,166 Campylobacter infections were reported in 2022, with a contamination rate of 46% in fresh chicken meat.
• The contamination rate for fresh duck meat was 60.6%, and retail fresh turkey meat had a 5.1% Salmonella contamination rate.

Listeria Concerns in Olives:

• Listeria monocytogenes were found in retail fresh duck meat and turkey meat samples.
• Loose black and blackened olives showed Listeria contamination, with some samples exceeding acceptable levels. Authorities caution vulnerable groups to avoid raw consumption.

Additional Controls:

• The Federal Surveillance Plan for 2022 covered various areas, including aflatoxin in chia seeds, aluminum in fruit juice, squid in breaded products, and PCBs and dioxins in eggs.
• Raw milk cheese samples revealed coagulase-positive staphylococci above legal limits in some cases, though testing for staphylococcal enterotoxin was negative.
• Nationwide monitoring of catering establishments exposed allergen labeling violations in 633 inspected outlets, with wheat, egg, and milk inaccuracies noted in dishes.

Consumer Advisory: Consumers are urged to follow proper cooking practices for poultry products, particularly duck meat, and to be vigilant about allergen information when dining out. Authorities emphasize the importance of public awareness and adherence to safety guidelines to prevent foodborne illnesses and allergen-related issues. Regular updates and detailed information are available through official channels.