PORK
According to Consumer Reports, 69 percent of all raw pork samples tested were contaminated with the dangerous bacteria Yersinia enterocolitica, which can cause fever and gastrointestinal illness. Ground pork was more likely than pork chops to be contaminated The pork also tested positive for other contaminants. More than 20 percent of samples contained the controversial drug ractopamine, which is banned in many countries, including Europe and China Many of the bacteria found in the pork were resistant to multiple antibiotics If you choose to eat pork, I recommend seeking a naturally raised, pastured source, although this is no guarantee of safety. Pastured pigs are vulnerable to Trichinella spiralis infection—aka “pork worm”—due to their exposure to wild hosts. Trichinella is one of the most widespread parasites in the world, and can cause potentially serious health complications Dr. Mercola: Regardless of your spiritual beliefs, there may be good reason to carefully consider your decision to include pork as a regular part of your diet, because despite advertising campaigns trying to paint pork as a "healthy" alternative to beef, research suggests it may be hazardous to your health on multiple levels. One of the most potentially acute hazards is contamination with pathogenic bacteria. According to a surprising new investigation by Consumer Reports1, 69 percent of all raw pork samples tested — nearly 200 samples in total — were contaminated with the dangerous bacteria Yersinia enterocolitica, which causes fever and gastrointestinal illness with diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Ground pork was more likely than pork chops to be contaminated. The pork also tested positive for other contaminants, including the controversial drug ractopamine, which is banned in many parts of the world, including China and Europe. The drug, which was found in more than 20 percent of the samples, is used to boost growth in the animal while leaving the meat lean. Worst of all, many of the bacteria found in the pork were resistant to multiple antibiotics, making treatment, should you fall ill, all the more problematic and potentially lethal. According to the featured report: "We found salmonella, staphylococcus aureus, or listeria monocytogenes, more common causes of foodborne illness, in 3 to 7 percent of samples. And 11 percent harbored enterococcus, which can indicate fecal contamination and can cause problems such as urinary-tract infections." While Nutritionally Sound, Pork is Probably Still Best Avoided Pork is an arguably "healthy" meat from a biochemical perspective, and if consumed from a humanely raised pastured hog like those on Joel Salatins' farm and prepared properly, there is likely minimal risk of infection. However, virtually all of the pork you're likely to consume do not fit these criteria. So for most all industrially raised pork, I believe there is enough scientific evidence to justify the reservations or outright prohibitions in many cultures against consuming it. Nearly all pigs raised in the U.S. come from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFO's. These inhumane environments are typically toxic breeding grounds for pathogens. These animals spend their short, miserable lives on concrete and steel grates. Antibiotics are given liberally with their feed, making their massive waste even more toxic. This is why you can smell a CAFO swine operation miles before you see it. At an operation like Joel Salatin's, you couldn't smell any sign of pigs. These pigs were raised humanely and organically, where both animal and land are managed symbiotically. Unfortunately, raising animals in CAFO's is the standard for Americans. For many of us, CAFO pork is the only option available. This is why my nutrition plan recommends consciously avoiding pork whenever possible unless you can assure yourself that the hogs were raised like the video above. Granted, the occasional consumption of pork might be fine, but it's a risk, and the more you consume it the more likely it is that you will eventually acquire some type of infection. The pork and swine industry has been continually plagued, and continues to be so to this day, by a wide variety of hazardous infections and diseases, including:
Pork is NOT Advisable in a Raw Diet As explained by Consumer Reports, thoroughly cooking your pork is important for safety, so if you're on a raw diet (which can include raw meats), pork should definitely NOT be part of your menu... Again, while I don't recommend it, if you DO opt to eat pork, it would be wise to follow these safe handling tips and guidelines, issued by Consumer Reports4:
Source: articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/12/12/eating-pork.aspx?e_cid=20121212_DNL_art_1 |
