When It Comes To Pathogens, Natural Still Means Natural
All living creatures carry bacteria, and cattle are no exception. For this reason, naturally occurring pathogens may always remain, at least to some extent, an inherent part of the food we eat. And, according to new research, this basic tenet holds true whether beef cattle are raised conventionally, organically or even naturally.
In new study conducted by Kansas State University, researchers have found that the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in cattle that are organically or naturally raised is no different than the prevalence in cattle raised conventionally. The study also found that, when compared to conventionally raised beef cattle, organic and natural production had no impact on the antibiotic susceptibility of the bacteria.
As part of the recent study, researchers collected fecal samples from both organically and naturally raised beef cattle, and then tested for the presence of E. coli O157:H7. Results showed prevalence rates of 14.8% in organically raised cattle, and 14.2% in naturally raised cattle. According to the researchers, the E. coli levels were comparable to those previously identified in cattle that had been conventionally raised. Additionally, when the minimum inhibitory concentration of a variety of antibiotics for E. coli O157:H7 isolates were analyzed to determine the effects of all three production systems, no significant difference in antibiotic susceptibility was found. The findings of the study are detailed in the August 2009 issue of Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
Notably, in response to a recent increase in reported food-borne illness outbreaks, and a corresponding shift in consumer demand for organic and natural foods, many cattle farmers have considered shifting toward organic-based production methods. The new study suggests, however, that although organically and naturally raised beef may be popular for their assumed health benefits, neither have demonstrated any effect on the prevalence of naturally occurring pathogens.
