Report Finds High Rates of Bacteria in Pork

YONKERS, N.Y.A new Consumer Reports' investigation released Nov. 26 found high rates of the bacterium yersinia enterocolitica in pork chop and ground pork samples obtained from grocery stores. A separate test also found very low, but detectible, levels of the antibiotic ractopamine in the meat.

Consumer Reports tested 148 samples of pork chops and 50 samples of ground pork obtained grocery stores in six U.S. cities. Yersinia enterocolitica was present in 69% of the samples; Enterococcus in 11%; Staphylococcus in 7%; Salmonella in 4%; and Listeria in 3%. The report also noted that some of the bacteria found in the pork were resistant to multiple drugs or classes of drugs.

In a separate test, about one-fifth of the 240 pork products there were analyzed detected low levels of the drug ractopamine, which the United States approved in 1999 to promote growth and leanness in pigs event though it is banned in the European Union, China and Taiwan.

As reported by Meatingplace, American Meat Institute Foundation President James Hodges issued the following statement regarding the investigation: The most critical takeaway for U.S. pork consumers is this: U.S. pork remains among the safest in the world and consumers needn't change their eating habits despite a new article released by Consumer Reports that is based upon a limited sample of the U.S. pork supply. All pork products must be processed under the watchful eye of USDA inspectors or they may not be sold. Consumers should choose the products they prefer knowing that all must meet the same food safety standards in order to bear the USDA seal."

This latest report comes just two months after a Consumer Reports investigation worrisome levels" of arsenic in organic rice baby cereal, rice breakfast cereals, brown rice, white rice and other types of rice products, and just one year after its controversial investigation that revealed 10% of apple juice samples, from five brands, had total arsenic levels that exceeded federal drinking-water standards.