Report: Nearly 70% of pork in the United States is contaminated with bacteria

Report: Nearly 70% of pork in the United States is contaminated with bacteria. An analysis article by Consumer Reports revealed that 69% of U.S. pork samples monitored by the organization contained small intestinal tuberculosis...

An analysis article by Consumer Reports revealed that 69% of U.S. pork samples monitored by the organization contained Yersinia enterocolitica. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes that bacteria may cause fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

"Consumer Reports" stated that about 70% of pork contains pathogens. (CNN Photo)

The article to be published in the January 2013 issue said that Consumer Reports found that 3-7% of samples contained Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes and other common germs. About 23% of the samples did not contain any germs.

In 198 samples, the organization found complications with other "white meat". The samples also showed that some bacteria were resistant to typical antibiotics such as amoxicillin, penicillin, tetracycline and streptomycin. Of the 132 samples containing Yersinia enterocolitica, 121 were resistant to some type of antibiotic.

"Consumer Reports" said that the frequent use of low-dose antibiotics in pig farms may accelerate the reproduction of drug-resistant "super viruses" and threaten human health.

National Pork Board CEO Chris Novak immediately retorted through an article in National Hog Farmer magazine, saying, "We believe Consumer Reports does not accurately describe the safety and quality of pork products."

Pork Safety Director Steve Larson Larsen said farms are natural environments for bacteria, and farmers invest millions of dollars in research and understanding of antimicrobials and other tools to help them produce healthy and safe products for consumers.

Another article in Consumer Reports showed that one-fifth of 240 pork samples contained trace amounts of ractopamine (clenbuterol) – the controversial veterinary drug that promotes growth and increases lean meat content. Ractopamine was approved for use by the Federal Food and Drug Administration in 1999, but is banned in 160 countries, including China and the European Union.