25 Jun 2007


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MRSA warning on supermarket food

Pork, chicken and beef from UK supermarkets could be infected with a new strain of MRSA developed amongst intensively farmed pigs, chickens and other livestock on the continent.

According to a report by the Soil Association, a serious human-health threat already present in the Netherlands and other European countries, could spread to the UK.

The report claims that farm-animal MRSA has already transferred to farmers, farm-workers and their families in the Netherlands, causing serious health impacts.

The Soil Association is now calling on the government to urgently instigate a testing programme to establish the MRSA status of UK livestock and meat on sale.

Richard Young, Soil Association policy adviser said: “This new type of MRSA is spreading like wildfire across Europe, and we know it is transferring from farm animals to humans – with serious health impacts.

“Fortunately, it has not yet been found in UK livestock or imported meat, but then neither the government nor the Food Standards Agency are looking for it in live animals or meat.”

He added: “This is no time for official complacency, but a critical opportunity to prevent farm-animal MRSA getting a hold in the UK.”

The Food Standards Agency said people would not catch the bug from meat if it is prepared hygienically and cooked properly.

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