Is It Safe To Eat Meat From Livestock That Were Given Antibiotics?
In general, it is considered quite safe to consume meat from known and trusted sources, provided you use the right cleaning and cooking procedures. Using antibiotics for the livestock either to maintain their health or for commercial reasons like to fatten them and increase the output per unit is a common and popular methodology, used by many commercial meat manufacturers. However, pregnancy is a time, when there is nothing like being too careful and it is useful to be prepared with the facts, before following common opinion which could even be based on personal views, fears and preferences.
The concern is that antibiotics when given to the livestock may produce resistant bacteria in them, which later can be passed on to us during consumption, resulting in the presence of resistant bacteria within our bodies, that will resist antibiotics prescribed in case of infections or certain other medical conditions, and then render them useless. Apart from this, the antibiotics used and consumed will not harm the fetus directly.
The quantity used generally in the livestock feed, and the resultant quantity passed on, when consumed by humans may not always cause any adverse effects. Also, those animals given antibiotics in case of health problems, are usually spared until their health improves and the effect of antibiotic used lessens, and only then used for their meat.
However, the risk of contamination also depends on the way it is handled at the source, transported, hygiene of the storage places and finally the local outlet from where it comes to our homes. It is not possible to detect contamination by seeing or touching meat. The symptoms of an infection usually include nausea, indigestion, diarrhoea, fever and can even sometimes be fatal.
Some ways to avoid or reduce any negative effects could be
- These bacteria are more potent in raw, improperly cooked meat and poultry. Hence cooking at high temperatures is an effective way to kill the bacteria that may be present
- Effective handling after purchase, which includes refrigerating the meat before use, proper cooking and also not consuming cooked meat for more than 2-3 days after cooking, even if kept in the fridge.
- Options like whole meats, steak etc. are relatively safer than options like minced or processed meat like sausages, hams etc. while pregnant
- Another effective option is using organically produced meat and poultry. Organic methodology uses natural sources of feed. Though even the so called organic cows, may be given antibiotics – only difference is that it is to cure their health problems and as a last resort, rather than fatten them for commercial reasons. Yet, they may be a relatively safer option.
Nutrients from meat and poultry are very essential and useful during pregnancy, and hence it is advisable to include meat in your daily diet, with effective and safe cooking procedures.
