A large amount of American meat contains antibiotic-resistant-bacteria, says an Environmental Working Group according to Medical News Today.
The latest results from an analysis of a recently publicized group of government tests show that 81 percent of raw ground turkey, 55 percent of raw ground beef, 39 percent of raw chicken, contain the bad bacteria—also known as superbugs.
According to experts, the influx of antibiotics used in livestock farming is one of the main causes for the bacteria infestation.
This can be extremely harmful for the humans who eat the meat. Antibiotics are used to help treat diseases that contaminated can cause such as food poisoning. If these “superbugs” are not affected by antibiotics, then these diseases—which can be fatal at times—become much tougher to treat.
Approximately 22 percent more pounds of antibiotics were sold in 2011 than in 2005. This adds up to about 30 million pounds.
The Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming says that about meat production accounts for 80 percent of the pharmaceuticals sold in the United States.
The Environmental Working Group issued a suggestion for how to deal with the issue:
"Congress should also fully fund the Conservation Stewardship Program, which encourages conservation activities on grassland, pastureland and rangeland. This program, run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, could be used to support ranchers who raise animals on pasture and employ practices that fortify health. For example, unlike operations that confine a large number of animals to a small area, rotational grazing allows animals access to open space. This practice improves herd health and reduces the risk of infection or sickness that would otherwise spread easily."
