Consumer Reportsm recently published a study that discusses the safety of ground beef across the country. In the experiments conducted, the researchers found existence of drug-resistant bacteria (superbugs) in ground beef that are available in supermarkets.
Consumer Reports tested 458 pounds from 103 grocery stores and big-box natural-food stores in 26 cities across United States. The samples were then positive of five common types of bacteria found on beef:
- Clostridium Perfringens
- E.Coli (including the 0157 and six other toxin-producing strains)
- Enterococcus
- Salmonella
- Staphylococcus Aureus
All 458 pound of beef is positive of at least one type of bacteria. Some of these bacteria produce toxins that cannot be destroyed even with proper cooking. It turns out that conventionally produced beef, the kind that is sold in most stores, has twice as many superbugs compared to beef raised in a sustainable way. The drug-resistant bacteria were present in 18% of conventionally raised beef and in 9% of sustainably raised beef.
According to North American Meat Institute, the results actually show the overall safety of beef. On a positive note, testers did not find the deadly strain of E.coli in the samples. On the other hand, the U.S Department of Agriculture claims that it has implemented stricter food safety standards than ever before on ground beef and overall meat industry. They have improved ways for detecting the source of outbreaks and they also have zero tolerance for the dangerous strains of E.coli.
The most significant finding this experiment has brought to light is the fact that conventionally raised cows are more likely to carry the superbug compared to the sustainably raised ones. Sustainable methods could mean raising the cows without antibiotics or feeding them organic grass. Grass-fed cattle don't get antibiotics and lives on pastures, not feedlots according to Consumer Reports.
Government warns everyone from eating rare or raw hamburgers. Hopefully more studies will follow to help consumers minimize the risk. Earlier in August, it was also reported that a hospital in Los Angeles suffered from these superbugs. The antibiotic-resistant superbug was linked to a medical scope that was used for a certain procedure.
