A new study shows there are higher levels of bacteria in raw meat than once expected. The University of Iowa College of Public Health and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy found MRSA in meat samples. MRSA is form of bacteria that is responsible for about 185,000 cases of food poisoning each year, and is resistant to many antibiotics.
What consumers should know
“This study shows that the meat we buy in our grocery stores has a higher prevalence of staph than we originally thought,” says lead study author Tara Smith, Ph.D., interim director of the UI Center for Emerging and Infectious Diseases and assistant professor of epidemiology.
Researchers tested about 400 raw meat samples and found MRSA in about 7 percent of them. Earlier studies show MRSA has also been found in milk.
While many people believe buying meat that is anti-biotic free lessens this threat, the study found otherwise.
“We were surprised to see no significant difference in antibiotic-free and conventionally produced pork,” Smith says. “Though it’s possible that this finding has more to do with the handling of the raw meat at the plant than the way the animals were raised, it’s certainly worth exploring further.”
To buy meat, or not to meat
Researchers say these findings should not stop people from buying meat at the grocery store, however, they hope these findings will lead to better health regulations at plants across the United States.
“With this knowledge, we can start to recommend safer ways to handle raw meat products to make it safer for the consumer,” Smith said.
More about MRSA
MRSA is not synonymous with meat, in fact, this bacteria is often found inside hospitals. It can cause infections and typically presents itself on the body as red bumps. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MRSA infections impact over 800,000 people a year.
We specialize in providing our over 1,000,000 customers with relevant product and condition information created by our professional editorial staff which includes our team of medical writers, medical practitioners, and health educators. eDrugStore.com Staff on Facebook