Food Safety, Additives or Diseases

This study examines the levels of intestinal microbes in omnivores, vegetarians and vegans. Vegans were found to have the least and omnivores the most. This is due to not consuming contaminated meat as well as a higher intake of fruits and vegetables, which are fibrous and help keep the intestines clean.

Researchers investigated the link between meat eating and risk of developing a type of cancer of the kidney called renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The study found that increased consumption of red meat increased the risk of developing RCC.

This survey asked a representative sample of 1,000 U.S. adults to identify what they considered to be the most important food news in 2011. Stories about food safety and health were ranked at the top of the list. This suggests that animal advocates promoting vegetarianism will benefit from highlighting the food-safety risks caused by meat production. Notably, the survey also found that 14% of respondents plan to incorporate less meat into their diets in 2012.

This white paper is the summary of talks coming from a 2011 symposium addressing the use of antibiotics in animals raised for food. The symposium, sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry, had talks addressing possible human health risks associated with antibiotic use as well as consumer attitudes and concerns about the use of antibiotics. The paper also discusses how to communicate with consumers regarding this issue to assuage their concerns.

This survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults finds that a majority of people are concerned about the use of antibiotics in farm animals and that this concern is even greater among parents.

This brief article summarizes various studies and reports addressing the current state of turkey production in the United States. The rapid growth rate of turkeys is so great they cannot structurally support themselves. Once slaughtered, these turkeys are a human health risk due to the high rates of bacterial contamination.

This report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture examines the prevalence and use of food safety technology in meat and poultry plants.

This survey of over 3,000 U.S. adults addresses concerns regarding food safety issues. Over half of U.S. adults are concerned about food safety, but compared with 2010 there has been a decrease in the number of those who say they are concerned. Most concern is expressed regarding the safety of meat.