In the wake of a recent Salmonella outbreak linked to poultry products, New Zealand’s food safety agency has moved swiftly to address concerns and provide reassurance to the public.

The outbreak, which first emerged in December 2019 and saw a strain of Salmonella Enteritidis identified in domestic poultry flocks, prompted a thorough reassessment of the country’s Salmonella risk profile. Despite the seriousness of the outbreak, the risk of Salmonella Enteritidis from eggs in New Zealand remains low, according to the latest assessment by the New Zealand Food Safety agency.

The agency’s risk profile, which was updated in 2023, acknowledges the emergence of Salmonella Enteritidis as a concern but maintains that the overall risk associated with eggs, including other Salmonella serotypes, remains low. Measures have been implemented to address the outbreak, including enhanced monitoring, changes to industry guidelines, and the implementation of an emergency control scheme.

Key findings from the reassessment include:

• Identification of Salmonella Enteritidis in poultry flocks, leading to heightened surveillance and response efforts.
• Adoption of measures to improve biosecurity and risk management throughout the poultry supply chain.
• Implementation of an emergency control scheme to mitigate the spread of Salmonella Enteritidis.
• Significant reduction in egg exports and increased importation of egg products as a result of the outbreak.
• Continued use of vaccination on layer farms to reduce Salmonella colonization and contamination of eggs.
• Ongoing monitoring of the situation to ensure the effectiveness of risk management measures.

While the risk associated with Salmonella Enteritidis remains a concern, the New Zealand Food Safety agency is confident that proactive measures will help mitigate future outbreaks and ensure the safety of the food supply.

The agency emphasizes the importance of continued vigilance and collaboration among industry stakeholders to address emerging threats and safeguard public health.

For further updates and information, citizens are encouraged to visit the New Zealand Food Safety website and adhere to recommended food safety practices.