Eco-test warns against rotten meat grilled with germs

Unappetizing grilled meat: testers discover rotten meat in the supermarket
The barbecue season has long since begun, the refrigerated shelves in the supermarkets are packed with grilled meats and sausages. The reviewers of Öko-Test used this as an opportunity to investigate a total of 13 pork neck steaks in three batches each. Their frightening result: rotten meat, germs and antibiotics! Only two organic products were rated "good". A total of nine times, the inspectors judged the barbecue meat as "insufficient".

Multi-resistant germs in the grill meat
Barbecuing is one of the most popular leisure activities in summer in Germany. There is hardly a garden that does not smell like grilled meat on the weekend. However, the results of Öko-Test should spoil many barbecue fans the anticipation of the next barbecue thoroughly. Because the investigators discovered germs and traces of antibiotics in many grilled meat samples. In addition, some neck steaks were already spoiled, which was covered only by a marinade.

Germs in old grilled meat that was extra marinated. (Image: Alexander Raths - fotolia)

Most critically, the investigators found the paprika steaks from Aldi Nord, as they found residues of an antibiotic in the samples. Although the small amount is not directly harmful, but remains of drugs should not appear in food, so the conclusion to this product.

In four batches of meat from different manufacturers, the testers detected antibiotic-resistant germs, such as the dreaded MRSA and certain E. coli bacteria. The germs can also transfer their resistance to bacteria in the human gastrointestinal tract, emphasizes Öko-Test. However, the germ load itself is not acutely threatening.

Beware of rotten meat when buying marinated grilled meat
A particularly unappetizing discovery made the test team with two meat samples with pepper marinade Rewe: rotten meat! The products were already spoiled towards the end of the shelf life. Only the marinade faked it over. However, the discoloration and high bacterial count suggested a progressive decline. As Öko-Test reports, this would probably not have been noticed after the barbecue of the meat, as the spicy marinade would have masked the taste of the meat. However, there was no danger to health. Rotten meat is disgusting at best.

The marinades also offered cause for criticism. According to the eco-test, some contain flavorings and additives, even though they are labeled "free from ...".

In a total of eleven samples, the examiners found too high a bacterial load, indicating a lack of freshness. However, at the request of the testers, the manufacturers concerned stated that they complied with the legal requirements.

Öko-Test included raising and keeping the pigs in the assessment
In their assessment, the testers also took into account the husbandry conditions of the pigs from which the cheap grilled meat is made. "Pigs suffer for six months - from their birth to slaughter: The attitude of the roughly 60 million animals slaughtered annually in Germany is far from 'appropriate to the species'. And the industry is walling up; the abuses hardly want to admit it, "explains Öko-Test.

The deficiencies in the rearing of the animals were so serious that the examiners only awarded the grade "good" for two organic neck steaks. Nine times they distributed an "insufficient". (Ag)