High levels of E. coli have been detected in uncooked meat and raw dog food sold in grocery store The infection occurred in the UK, according to research presented at the European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) World Congress in Barcelona last week.
Researchers from the University of Bristol analyzed 58 samples of raw beef, chicken, pork and lamb sold in UK grocery stores, as well as raw meat sold in “pet specialty stores”, according to a press release. Fifteen dog food samples were tested.
Eighty-one percent of meat samples and 87 percent of dog food samples were found to contain: Escherichia coli (E. coli) That means it’s resistant to antibiotics.
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Raw chicken meat had the highest levels of resistant enteric bacteria.
“Escherichia coli is an enteric bacterium that can thrive in cattle and chickens used for meat, especially if they are kept in unclean or crowded conditions.” , says Dr. Mark Siegel, clinical professor of medicine. New York University Langone Medical Center a Fox News medical contributor told Fox News Digital.
High concentrations of E. coli were detected in uncooked meat and raw dog food sold in grocery stores, according to research presented at the European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) World Congress in Barcelona last week. . (St. Petersburg)
“Poultry and beef cattle are often given antibiotics to aid their growth and prevent infection, and this contributes to the breeding of resistant strains that emerge from overuse of antibiotics.”
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Siegel was not involved in the study.
“This study confirms that raw meat harbors multiple resistant E. coli strains, including resistance to vital antibiotics that are typically important for health. human health” the study authors said in a press release from ESCMID.
“Escherichia coli is an enteric bacterium that can grow in cattle and chickens used for meat, especially if they are kept in unclean or crowded conditions.” (St. Petersburg)
When ingested, the bacteria can colonize the intestines and cause resistant infections, said study author Matthew B. Avison, professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Bristol.
“Bacteria can remain in the intestines for years without causing disease, and in some cases can later cause various types of illnesses, including urinary tract infections and urinary tract infections. bloodstream infection It can kill people,” Avison told FOX News Digital.
“Infections caused by resistant bacteria are more difficult to treat and more likely to worsen.”
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Avison noted that uncooked meat, which is cooked and then sold for human consumption, is “commonly contaminated” with antibiotic-resistant E. coli.
He said the study’s findings were not surprising, as there have been “numerous reports” of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. raw meat There are also some studies that have shown this with raw dog food.
“In some cases, that bacteria can later cause various types of illnesses, such as urinary tract infections and bloodstream infections.”
“Raw dog food is sold frozen, so people often believe that freezing kills the bacteria, but we’ve proven that’s not the case,” Avison told FOX News Digital.
“There were as many samples of chicken-based raw dog food contaminated with resistant E. coli as there were samples of raw chicken meat. So if you’re feeding your dog raw meat, you’re feeding them antibiotic-resistant E. coli.” There may be.”
These findings may explain why researchers previously found a strong link between feeding dogs raw meat and dogs shedding resistant E. coli in their feces. Avison pointed out.
Researchers told FOX News Digital, “Because raw dog food is sold frozen, many people believe that freezing it will kill the bacteria on it, but we have found that this is not the case. I’ve proven it.” (St. Petersburg)
The researchers said in a statement that most people are unaware of the risks of these antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
They stressed the importance of thoroughly cooking meat before eating and practicing “good hygiene practices” while cooking.
“Proper cooking of meat will kill these bacteria,” advises Avison.
The 250-pound “Gentle Giant” dog eats an entire chicken every day as his owner spends nearly $5,000 a year on food.
“Treat all raw meat as if it were contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, fed raw meat to dog resistant bacteria will be shed,” he continued.
“Practice good hand washing and general hygiene practices to minimize the risk of you or others accidentally ingesting these germs.”
“If you feed your dog raw meat, you may be feeding them antibiotic-resistant E. coli.”
Dog owners who feed their pets raw meat need to dispose of the animal’s waste in a sanitary manner, Avison said.
“Don’t let your dog lick your face or sleep with you, and wash your hands after petting your dog,” he recommended. “These are all common sense practices, but they’re even more important when feeding your dog raw food.”
The researchers stressed the importance of thoroughly cooking meat before eating and practicing “good hygiene practices” while cooking. (St. Petersburg)
“And of course, from a hygiene and cleaning standpoint, treat raw dog food the same way you treat raw meat.”
Professor Siegel said the study raised a “red flag”, saying people should make sure poultry and meat is thoroughly cooked before human consumption, and that dog food is also cooked. emphasized its importance.
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Andre Delattre, chief operating officer of the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) in Washington, D.C., said the study “highlights the importance of ending routine practices.” antibiotic use In the livestock field. ”
“Practice good hand washing and general hygiene practices to minimize the risk of you or others accidentally ingesting these bacteria,” the researchers said. (St. Petersburg)
“An inevitable byproduct of overuse of antibiotics is resistance to these drugs,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Studies also show that meat raised without antibiotics is less likely to be contaminated with resistant bacteria.”
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The University of Bristol research is published on a preprint server and has not yet been peer-reviewed.
Fox News Digital has contacted the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for comment.
For more health articles, visit: www.foxnews.com/health.
