Plastic packaging often used to cover chicken could be harbouring all sorts of harmful bacteria, including campylobacter, scientists have found.

Experts at Birmingham city council discovered the bug, which can lead to sickness, stomach pain and diarrhoea, on 40 per cent of chicken wrapping.

The results are now being analysed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), after concerns were raised about the spreading of the bug in supermarket environments in particular.

An FSA spokesperson said: "We are working with the food industry to minimise the spread of this bug at all stages of the food chain, from improved hygiene in farms to better leak proof packaging in shops."

They added that tackling campylobacter is one of the organisation's top priorities.

CBS News recently claimed that chicken parmigiana is one of people's most favourite comfort foods, whether it is served in an Italian restaurant or from a fast food outlet.