Despite food safety measures, the threat of foodborne illness remains in meat and produce. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 48 million people contract some form of food poisoning each year. Salmonella remained the top cause of foodborne illness in 2012, and the second was Campylobacter (lives on live chickens and can taint meat during slaughter). Advocacy groups examined data from foodborne illness outbreaks over a 12-year period and found between 1998 and 2010 and found that meat and poultry products were linked to "at least 1,714 outbreaks involving 33,372 illnesses." (This is just a rough estimate because some people may not seek medical attention for food poisoning and cases go unrecorded.) In April, the Environmental Working Group published an analysis of existing data on antibiotic-resistant bacteria contained in meat sold in supermarkets. 81% percent of ground chicken, 69% of pork chops, 55% of ground beef and 39% of chicken were found to contain the bacteria.
SOLUTIONS
Packaging meat products in leak-proof containers
Wash with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after handling food
Leftovers should go into the fridge or freezer within two hours of cooking.
Analysis:
It is crazy that so much food still is contaminated with this bacteria. Food poisoning is a severe sickness and is also very dangerous. It is extremely important for everyone to follow the precautions to keep their food fresh and safe. I hope that more studies occur to determine exactly how much food actually contains the harmful bacteria and that the number of foods with bacteria continues to decrease.
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/08/health/foodborne-illness-101/index.html?iref=obinsite
ALL THE MORE REASON TO GO VEGETARIAN!! hah. The reality is that meat or muscles of an animal when exposed to oxygen are going to accuire bacteria and and other exposures that are really inevitable. The main issue really derives from people not preping and cooking their food properly or being knowlegable in how to take care of all types of foods
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sunny haha, seems like its too dangerous to eat anything these days. It really is a scary thing when everything you eat has the potential to be contaminated with bacteria and disease, just another thing to make you careful!
ReplyDeleteThis is why raw meat or undercooked meat is detestable in my opinion. The threat of illness and food poisoning is terrifying. You've GOT to wash your hands before and after you eat (and use the restroom, but that's another issue). You've GOT to wash your meat before you use it. You've GOT to cook it thoroughly and completely.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't, there is more of a chance of sickness. It's simple, really.
Consider me 'well done' with anything involving contaminated meat.