Campylobacter
food poisoning
is one of the major bacterial foodborne diseases
resulting in numerous outbreaks worldwide.
Particularly in Japan, one-fourth of the total
food poisoning is caused by
Campylobacter
jejuni/coli
. Raw and/or undercooked
poultry meat and meat products are known as the
main cause of campylobacteriosis. Consequently,
effective and immediate actions are needed to
eliminate or at least reduce campylobacteriosis.
This study aimed at examining the Japanese food
regulation system, comparing it with those in the
USA and Australia, and making necessary
recommendations for a better control of
campylobacteriosis in Japan. The study was
conducted by a thorough investigation of published
literatures, governmental documents, statistical
and epidemiological data and public information.
The results led to recommendations that the
Japanese food regulation authority should consider
the following suggestions in order to control
campylobacteriosis: 1) assess the
Campylobacter
safety at the end
of processing stage of chicken supply chain based
on risk assessment using quantitative/qualitative
baseline data collected over Japan, 2) establish a
national
Campylobacter
strategy,
including specific campylobacteriosis reduction
goals and criteria, and 3) provide the small food
business operators with sufficient training and
support to implement a Hazard Analysis Critical
Control Points (HACCP) as an obligatory food
safety requirement. It is acknowledged that it
would be difficult to apply foreign regulations
directly to Japanese food regulation system due to
differences in food culture, regulation, industry
structure, and data collection systems. Thus,
flexible application is required. Finding and
conducting effective
Campylobacter
control measures
can decrease contaminated live birds and chicken
meat in Japan, home to a unique food culture of
eating raw and/or undercooked chicken meat called
Torisashi such as sashimi, tataki and yubiki
chicken. Consequently, potentially available
research data may be instrumental in finding
solutions for reducing campylobacteriosis.
Eliminating
Campylobacter
food
poisoning cases in Japan will be a significant
achievement in ensuring Japanese and global food
safety.