Buying Chicken at Lidl? Here’s Why You Should Read This Study

The Growing Threat of Antibiotic Resistance

There is a widely underestimated issue that could soon lead to a major health emergency: antibiotic resistance.
Over the years, the overuse of antibiotics has caused pathogens to become increasingly resistant to these drugs.
In the future, we may find ourselves without the necessary weapons to fight super bacteria, leading to severe and potentially fatal consequences even for simple infections.

Findings of an Alarming Study

An independent laboratory, supported by the organization DAkkS based in Cologne, Germany, conducted a study revealing alarmingly high percentages of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the meat we consume.
The study primarily focused on chicken sold by Lidl, but samples from other brands such as Carrefour, SPAR, Mercadona, and E.Leclerc were also analyzed.

In the case of Lidl’s chicken, 71% of the 24 samples analyzed from Spain showed the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Among these, 38% tested positive for Listeria, and 83% contained pathogens associated with diarrheal diseases such as Escherichia coli and Campylobacter.
The overall study involved the analysis of 142 products from 22 Lidl stores in Spain, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Poland.

Although the numbers were lower in other supermarkets, they still indicated the presence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Health Risks Associated with Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

According to the study, these pathogens can result in urinary tract infections, pneumonia, or even sepsis, posing a significant risk to public health.
Escherichia coli and Campylobacter found in various samples can cause mild symptoms but also severe conditions such as acute diarrhea, fever, or joint inflammation.
Listeria, on the other hand, can be particularly dangerous, especially for pregnant women, as it can harm the fetus and even lead to abortion.

In vulnerable individuals, Listeria can cause severe illnesses and even death.
The prevalence of so many antibiotic-resistant bacteria in chicken is concerning, especially considering that people may not always practice impeccable hygiene.
While thorough cooking can eliminate bacteria, caution is advised, especially regarding surfaces like cutting boards and kitchen utensils, which may not always be perfectly cleaned after handling raw chicken.

Root Causes of the Issue

So, why is there such a high percentage of bacteria in the chicken meat sold in supermarkets? The intensification of livestock farming is a primary reason.
To prevent the spread of avian influenza, animals are routinely treated with antibiotics even when they are not sick, as a preventive measure.

This overexposure has led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Additionally, the unclean environments in which these animals live, often dirty and filled with excrements, facilitate the proliferation of bacteria.

Lidl, on its part, defends itself by stating that the issue is not specific to their chain alone.
They emphasize that the bacteria present in fresh chicken meat are not a consequence of the rearing methods of their particular suppliers but rather a general challenge for the entire poultry meat sector.

Lidl has refuted the accusations and assured consumers that they conduct thorough quality controls through independent and accredited bodies.
The research findings have been forwarded to the Ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, urging for necessary actions to be taken.