Superbug Found in British Supermarket Pork

A recent investigation as published by The Guardian, reveals that 100 pork products this month, found and sold within British supermarkets, were contaminated by a strain of superbug Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) called Clonal Complex 398 (CC398). Specifically, this is a form of bacteria associated to the overuse of antibiotics on factory farms which can be transmitted by handling contaminated meat, or by engaging with infected livestock or people. As it can be killed through cooking, CC398 does not pose an immediate threat to humans, yet experts predict it could snowball into a larger sanitary crisis if authorities don’t solve the issue. The bacterium is widespread throughout European pig farms, particularly Denmark—the largest pork producer in Europe—where 68% of pigs are infected with CC398. Due to this epidemic, Denmark’s Agriculture Minister, Dan Jørgensen, responded by releasing a proposition to lessen the involvement of antibiotics in pig farms by 15% by 2018. Specialists and authorities claim the scheme isn’t significant enough, and that they should lessen the use of antibiotics by 90% if they seek a better effect. From Animal Equality we would like to express that the use of antibiotics, abuse, mistreatment and numerous infections on farms are all common sightings. After having documented multiple pork farms, both within the UK and Spain, as well as Italy. Our findings carry a pattern of critical concern for animals.

Inside the Italian pig industry.

Inside the Italian pig industry.