Poisonous bacteria found on the OUTSIDE of chicken packaging

Shoppers are warned to keep poultry in a separate bag in the fridge to avoid the risk from the germ campylobacter

A poisonous bacteria found on the OUTSIDE of supermarket chicken packaging has led to calls for shoppers to keep poultry in a separate bag in the fridge.

Unsuspecting consumers are at risk from the germ campylobacter, a major cause of food poisoning, according to the Food Standards Agency.

The bacteria is present on the outside packaging of thousands of fresh whole chickens sold in Britain every day, the watchdog’s report will say.

Customers will be advised to wash their hands with soap and warm water after touching the covers and to use a different bag for the fridge.

A spokesman for the agency said: “The biggest risk is in food preparation, as that is when campylobacter is most likely to spread to surfaces or hands,

“But you could put raw poultry in a separate bag as well, as there is always a small risk the bacteria is also on the packaging.”

The bacteria is linked to around 280,000 cases of food poisoning each year, with typical symptoms including diarrhoea and stomach pains for several days.

But many struggle on without seeking medical help - and the true number is thought to be nearer half a million.

The bacteria grows in the guts of the birds and is thought to be transferred to plastic packaging put around the meat during processing.