Campylobacter is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness in the UK and EU, with strong links to raw poultry, unpasteurised milk, and contaminated water. Eurofins Food Testing UK offers accredited campylobacter testing to help food producers, processors and retailers detect and manage this high-risk pathogen.
Our ISO 17025-accredited laboratories provide rapid and reliable testing for Campylobacter spp such as Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli, supporting regulatory compliance and helping protect consumer health. Whether you need testing for raw meat, dairy, or food production environments, we offer flexible and validated testing solutions.
Managing the risk: detection, enumeration and confirmation
Campylobacter can cause campylobacteriosis, the most frequently reported foodborne illness in the EU, with over 220,000 confirmed cases in 2019 alone. However, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) estimates the true number of annual cases could exceed 9 million. Approximately 30% of cases require hospitalisation, and serious outcomes including death are possible.
Main sources of contamination
Raw poultry is the leading source of campylobacter contamination, as the bacteria commonly colonise the intestines of healthy birds. EU data has shown that
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34.6% of chicken carcass samples tested positive, with 18.4% exceeding 1,000 CFU/g
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The bacterium is also present in pigs (5.8%), cattle (0.5%), and raw milk (0.6%)
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Notably, while only 0.6% of raw milk samples test positive, around 25% of collective foodborne illness outbreaks linked to campylobacter stem from raw milk consumption.
UK & European regulations*
To reduce public health risks, Regulation (EU) 1495/2017 introduced a process hygiene criterion for campylobacter levels on broiler carcasses. If more than 15 out of 50 samples exceed 1,000 CFU/g, corrective action is required.
UK status post post-Brexit
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The UK has retained Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005, including the Campylobacter hygiene criterion
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Northern Ireland continues to follow EU 2017/1495 under the Protocol
*Regulations are subject to change. Please consult the Food Standards Agency or relevant local authorities for the most up-to-date information. Eurofins food consultancy experts are also available to provide tailored support and horizon scanning.
Eurofins testing methods
We offer a full range of campylobacter testing services, tailored to different food, feed and environmental swab matrices and industry requirements including
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Detection of Campylobacter spp. using NF EN ISO 10272-1
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Enumeration using NF EN ISO 10272-2
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Alternative methods validated under EN ISO 16140-2, providing faster turnaround and cost-effective screening
Our microbiology experts are also available to support control plan design, technical reviews, and application of regulatory requirements.
Contact us
If you need expert support for campylobacter testing, compliance, or technical advice, our experienced teams are here to help.
For more information click on the headings below, contact us or call +44 (0) 845 604 6740.
