Multi-Resistant Bacteria Found In More Than 60% Of Tested Chickens In Hong Kong - SCMP
Over 60 per cent of tested chicken samples available in the local market were found to contain a superbug resistant to antibiotics commonly prescribed to treat infectious diseases, a Consumer Council study has found. The body urged the government to review current legislation on the use of antibiotics in animals and weed out abuse by farmers, but insisted there was no need to stay away from chicken.
The council, which used guidelines from US and European agricultural and food safety authorities gathered 100 chicken samples that had either been slaughtered on the day, chilled or frozen to test for bacteria which produce extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL).
ESBL-producing bacteria have been found to be resistant to popular antibiotics such as penicillin and even third-generation cephalosporin, which the World Health Organisation described as a critically important antibiotic to combat serious health threats.
A total of 62 samples returned positive results, including all six samples of fresh chicken that were slaughtered on the day. By contrast, only one third of the frozen samples carried the bacteria. “What’s worth noting is that the freezing process does not kill bacteria. But the chicken might be washed and processed beforehand, which may reduce the bacteria level,” said Michael Hui King-man, chairman of the council’s publicity committee.
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http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2054837/call-regulation-after-antibiotic-resistant