IS ANTIBIOTIC-FREE GROUND BEEF A HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVE TO REGULAR RETAIL GROUND BEEF?

Authors: GLENDENING, C - OHIO STATE UNIV.; MOLLENKOPF, D - OHIO STATE UNIV.; HARPSTEAD, A - OHIO STATE UNIV.; HANSEN, G - OHIO STATE UNIV.; RUEHLE, J - OHIO STATE UNIV.; Keen, James; WITTUM, THOMAS - OHIO STATE UNIV.

Submitted to: Research Workers in Animal Diseases Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/29/2003
Publication Date: 12/1/2003
Citation: GLENDENING, C., MOLLENKOPF, D., HARPSTEAD, A., HANSEN, G., RUEHLE, J., KEEN, J.E., WITTUM, T.E. IS ANTIBIOTIC-FREE GROUND BEEF A HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVE TO REGULAR RETAIL GROUND BEEF?. RESEARCH WORKERS IN ANIMAL DISEASES CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS. 2003. ABSTRACT NO. 47P.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Ground beef labeled as 'antibiotic-free' is commonly marketed as a healthier alternative to regular ground beef available in grocery stores. While there is no obvious definition of what constitutes 'healthier' ground beef, it may be reasonable for a consumer to expect that ground beef labeled 'antibiotic-free' is less likely to contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria and zoonotic pathogens than is regular ground beef. Therefore, our objectives were to compare the prevalence of Salmonella spp and STEC O157 contamination as well as measures of antimicrobial resistance of generic E. coli and Enterococcus spp recovered from regular retail ground beef compared to ground beef marketed as 'antibiotic-free.' Retail ground beef packages were purchased from 13 grocery stores in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area during the summer of 2003. At each store, 5 packages of regular ground beef and 5 packages of ground beef labeled as 'antibiotic-free' were purchased. Each package was tested for the presence of Salmonella spp and STEC O157 using standard culture techniques. Multiple generic E. coli and Enterococcus spp were recovered from each package for determination of MICs to a panel of antiomicrobial drugs. We also attempted to recover ceftiofur-resistant E. coli and high-level gentamicin resistant Enterococcus spp from each package using selective media. Salmonella spp were recovered from multiple hamburger packages from 4 of the stores. No STEC O157 or high-level gentamicin resistant Enterococcus spp had been recovered at the time of abstract submission. Ceftiofur resistant E. coli were recovered from 19 packages from 5 stores. Salmonella spp and resistant organisms were recovered from both regular and 'antibiotic-free' ground beef. Our results suggest that ground beef marketed as 'antibiotic-free' is no different than regular ground beef in the prevalence of zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial resistant bacteria.