WASHINGTON (Sept. 19, 2023) – A new study suggests that Escherichia coli and other disease-causing microbes are passing easily between humans and animals in Cambodia, a country where clean water, sanitation and hygienic controls are lacking in many regions. The continuous exchange, along with unregulated antibiotic use, leads to the emergence and spread of drug-resistant E. coli, the authors say.

I applaud today’s announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that it will re-examine how the agency substantiates animal raising claims that companies use to market their meat and poultry products. Given the confusing proliferation of animal raising claims, from antibiotic use to humane treatment to pasture raised, it is more important than ever for consumers to know these claims are backed not only by standards, but also by rigorous documentation, farm audits, and empirical testing.

A new study suggests that E. coli from meat products may be responsible for hundreds of thousands of urinary tract infections in the U.S. each year. The team estimated that between 480,000 and 640,000 urinary tract infections in the United States each year may be caused by foodborne E. coli strains.