A survey shows most Americans wouldn’t eat turkey if they knew it was contaminated, yet over half of store-bought turkey may contain fecal bacteria.
Survey Reveals Shocking Findings on Turkey Contamination
A recent survey conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and Morning Consult revealed that over 60% of U.S. adults say they would avoid eating turkey if they knew it was contaminated with feces. However, consumer research indicates that more than half of store-bought ground turkey contains fecal bacteria.
The survey, conducted from November 18 to 20 with 2,183 respondents, found that 82% plan to eat turkey for Thanksgiving. Among those, 87% trust their turkey will be free of contaminants. Despite this confidence, 65% said they would likely steer clear of turkey if they were aware it contained fecal bacteria.
Research Highlights Alarming Turkey Safety Issues
In research conducted by Consumer Reports in 2013, more than half of store-bought packages of raw ground turkey meat and patties tested positive for bacteria that indicate fecal contamination. Although ground turkey was tested, whole turkey carcasses, like those purchased for Thanksgiving, can be contaminated with fecal bacteria when the birds are slaughtered. A Physicians Committee study of poultry in 2012 showed similar results. Half of the chicken products marketed by 22 national brands and sold in 15 grocery store chains in 10 major U.S. cities contained chicken feces, lab testing showed.
Health Risks Associated With Turkey Consumption
“While most people say they wouldn’t knowingly eat turkey contaminated with feces,” said Roxanne Becker, MBChB, DipIBLM, with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, “more than half the time, consumers may be unwittingly doing so. If that’s not enough to convince people to keep it off their plates, consider this: E. coli in meat has been linked to urinary tract infections. And while it’s sometimes promoted as a healthy source of protein, a single serving of turkey can contain up to 80 milligrams of cholesterol, a waxy substance that can clog arteries and lead to heart attack or stroke.”
Demographic Trends in Thanksgiving Preferences
Results of the new survey also show:
- Women, Gen Xers (born 1965-1980), and baby boomers (born 1946-1964) were the least likely to say they’d eat turkey if they knew it was contaminated.
- More than one in four respondents said they’re likely to have a family member or guest at their Thanksgiving table this year who follows a vegan diet.
- Gen Zers (born 1997-2012) and millennials (born 1981-1996) are more likely than Gen Xers and baby boomers to say they’d like to try a vegetarian or vegan alternative to turkey.
Advocacy for Plant-Based Thanksgiving Alternatives
The Physicians Committee, a national nonprofit health advocacy group of more than 17,000 doctors, recommends consumers consider a fully plant-based and healthful Thanksgiving and get potentially contaminated turkey, in addition to cholesterol and saturated fat, off their plates.
“This holiday season, forgo the turkey,” Dr. Becker said, “and let vegetables take center stage.”
The Physicians Committee website is a free source of an abundance of healthful, plant-based Thanksgiving recipes, including dishes such as Vegan Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie, Zesty Cranberry Sauce, and Pumpkin Pie.
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9 Comments
Reads like propaganda.
I agree
Assuming that there really is any risk of fecal contamination, just wash it and cook thoroughly, that’s all.
And if it’s ground meat then leave out the washing part.
After many years of having turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, now, you are pushing this crap! Just stop, get some help.
“Pushing this crap”? You mean washing the turkey (whole or in pieces) in water and then cooking it till it reaches the proper temperature all the way through? That’s how I and millions of other people eat it. How do you eat it – raw?
What are you whining about?
Fecal material? A better statement might say E-coli” may be present” . This is why we cook our food to eliminate the possible presence of bacteria. Not really a revelation, Cook poultry to 165 internal. That’s the kill step. Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a group that advocates a vegetarian lifestyle, what else should you expect from such a group.
I do agree but there are strains of E-coli that are heat resistant to cooking. Washing and reaching a proper temp is always important but it still does not eliminate the risk due to those bacteria.