In collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA)

In collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), the United Arab Emirates University has made tangible advancements through its applied research in the field of food safety. This breakthrough research, the first of its kind in the region, is titled “Quantitative Evaluation and Genomic Analysis of Campylobacter Bacteria, One of the Most Significant Pathogens Causing Foodborne Illnesses, Across Poultry Meat Production Stages from Farm to Consumer”. The study utilizes the latest technologies to trace contamination pathways from the farm to the consumer, opening new avenues for improving poultry product quality and ensuring food safety in the UAE.

Researchers at UAEU were able to identify critical points in the production chain and propose scientific solutions to reduce contamination risks. This study, published in the international journal Frontiers in Microbiology, is the first in the region to employ advanced methods like whole genome sequencing to assess the dynamics of food contamination during production and processing stages, providing valuable insights for the poultry industry to implement effective preventive measures, enhance food safety and protecting consumer health in the UAE.

The research delved into studying the behavior of harmful Campylobacter bacteria, a major cause of foodborne diseases, during the breeding and slaughtering stages of poultry at number of farms and slaughterhouses in the emirate. Using state-of-the-art techniques to identify critical contamination points, the results showed that different stages of poultry processing play a crucial role in controlling the spread of this bacteria.

Dr. Ihab Habib, an Associate Professor in the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, explained, “The main goal of this research is to improve food safety by reducing the contamination of poultry products with Campylobacter bacteria, a major source of gastrointestinal infections in humans worldwide. Since poultry is the most consumed animal protein source in the region, the study's findings offer valuable insights into contamination points during poultry processing from farm to consumer.”

This study is part of a collaborative research partnership with ADAFSA and the poultry industry sector. This cooperation provided the necessary resources for sample collection and data analysis. The research outputs offer important practical recommendations for the poultry industry, enabling producers to implement targeted measures to enhance food safety and contribute to national food security.

It is worth mentioning that the UAEU ‘s Veterinary Public Health Research Laboratory focuses on strengthening the scientific foundation for food safety and microbial resistance to drugs. The lab adopts a multidisciplinary approach that integrates animal and human health, highlighting the crucial role of veterinary medicine in protecting public health and supporting national food safety strategies under the “One Health” concept.