Feedstuffs Online is reporting that the August 2009 issue of the journal Applied & Environmental Microbiology contains a report from Kansas State University researchers that found “when compared to conventionally raised beef cattle, organic and natural production systems do not impact antibiotic susceptibility of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 [E.coli].”Essentially, the report shows very little is actually known about the prevalence of food borne pathogens and their relationship to how beef cattle are raised. Recent pathogen outbreaks, as well as the purported health benefits of free-range and organic beef has caused livestock producers to adjust their production methods to meet consumer demand. “Cattle are major reservoirs of E. coli O157:H7 and their feces are the main source of food and water contamination that lead to food borne illness in humans.”
In the study researchers took fecal samples from conventionally raised cattle and compared those results to tests of fecal samples from organic and naturally raised cattle. The E.coli prevalence rate was 14.8% for organically raised cattle, and the result was 14.2% in naturally raised cattle. According to the report, these results are comparable to tests previously done on conventionally raised cattle. “[N]o significant difference in antibiotic susceptibility was noted.”
According to the Feedstuffs Online report:
"The prevalence[] of E. coli O157:H7 that we observed in organically and naturally raised beef cattle were similar to the previously reported prevalence in conventionally raised cattle," the researchers said. "No major differences in antibiotic susceptibility patterns among the isolates were observed."This report could be beneficial to livestock producers as Congress continues to deal with food safety issues during the current legislative session. To read the Feedstuffs Online article click here.
Posted: 08/26/09
