Drug-Resistant Superbugs Found in ‘Antibiotic-Free’ Meat Products

Meat is a staple food in the diet of many across the world. Whether or not you chooses to eat meat, its widespread consumption is undeniable. Many meat-eaters opt to purchase organic meat in order to avoid the cocktail of hormones, additives, and other unwanted ingredients that go along with conventional meat products. Despite this, the many forms of meat products are largely contaminated and have their own host of issues — including ‘antibiotic-free’ meats, according to a new report.

Whether it be through the use of hormones on animals, the issue of genetically modified feed for animals, the feed itself being inferior quality, or the fact that the FDA allows the use of bacteria eating viruses to clean meat, the global meat supply is in a dire state of contamination. In the case of the new report, it happens to be drug-resistant bacteria. The same superbugs that threaten the health of individuals worldwide with compromised immune systems.

Researchers took a number of pork products from various stores. Some raised with conventional methods, others raised ‘alternatively’ without antibiotics.When analyzing the ‘antibiotic-free’ meat, they found that over half the samples tested positive for staph bacteria, and some also tested positive for MRSA. It’s important to note that ‘antibiotic free’ does not necessarily mean that the meats are certified organic or grown 100% properly, but this raises the question of where the bacteria is coming from in the first place.

That said, the quality of meat products does matter. When choosing quality meat products, it’s important to note if the animals are fed organic, and whether they have grain or grass fed diets. It’s also important to note the conditions in which they are raised, and how they are treated. Perhaps most importantly, it is vital to ensure they have not received any form of medicine, antibiotics, or hormonal injections. All of these affect the quality of products derived from the animals, like milk and eggs. The processing of the meat is also pertinent, and whether or not it receives any form of artificial preservation, radiation or otherwise.

It is highly advisable you purchase your meat products (if you eat meat) from a local farmer who follows these guidelines and is very transparent about the farming practices utilized in the cultivation of the meat.