Sausages contain dangerous bacteria
Researchers have found harmful bacteria, which cause humans to become resistant to antibiotics, in several types of German sausages.
The Green Party carried out random testing on 63 sausages, salami and meat bought in supermarkets and butchers in 13 German cities. Tests at a laboratory in Bavaria found that 10 of the 63 sausages (16 percent) contained a bacteria called ESBL (extended spectrum beta-lactamases).
The bacteria produce an enzyme which causes humans to become resistant to antibiotics.
Estimates suggest around six million people in Germany are carrying the bacteria; and around 30,000 people die in the country each year because of antibiotic resistance.
The Greens carried out the tests from April 28th to May 2nd and found that sausages containing raw meat, known as Mettwurst, were among the worst affected. The party said that 22 percent of raw sausage products they tested contained ESBL bacteria.
And six out of the nine turkey products they tested also had the bacteria.
In a statement on Wednesday, they called for intensive animal farming to be reduced and for the animals to be given less antibiotics.
“The antibiotic resistant bacteria emerge in meat and meat products because animals are infected with it. The cause is the massive and often inappropriate use of antibiotics in livestock," it said.
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The Green Party carried out random testing on 63 sausages, salami and meat bought in supermarkets and butchers in 13 German cities. Tests at a laboratory in Bavaria found that 10 of the 63 sausages (16 percent) contained a bacteria called ESBL (extended spectrum beta-lactamases).
The bacteria produce an enzyme which causes humans to become resistant to antibiotics.
Estimates suggest around six million people in Germany are carrying the bacteria; and around 30,000 people die in the country each year because of antibiotic resistance.
The Greens carried out the tests from April 28th to May 2nd and found that sausages containing raw meat, known as Mettwurst, were among the worst affected. The party said that 22 percent of raw sausage products they tested contained ESBL bacteria.
And six out of the nine turkey products they tested also had the bacteria.
In a statement on Wednesday, they called for intensive animal farming to be reduced and for the animals to be given less antibiotics.
“The antibiotic resistant bacteria emerge in meat and meat products because animals are infected with it. The cause is the massive and often inappropriate use of antibiotics in livestock," it said.
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