Re: [CH] trichinosis
Harry Jiles (harryo@dave-world.net)
Thu, 28 Jan 1999 18:24:51 -0600
This is really getting off the topic of chiles, but as a pork producer maybe
I can put this issue to rest. Hogs actually require trace amounts of
arsenic for growth and get it from grains which do contain naturally
occurring trace amounts. These trace amounts do not kill trichinae. This
arsenic is passed on through the animals excrement and you certainly don't
see it killing parasites and larvae in that excrement if it sits around.
The reason grain fed hogs don't carry trichinae is because they can only
become infected by eating meat that is already infected with them. There is
a very slight chance that commercially raised, grain fed hogs could carry
trichinae by eating a rodent, such as a rat, that is a carrier.
Trichinosis contracted from eating infected pork is a clinical rarity
today. This is mainly because of the change from past feeding practices of
feeding garbage to strictly feeding grain. Meat inspectors only find
trichinae in less than 1/10% of hogs slaughtered in the US today and these
carcasses are condemned and not processed, so the chance of infected meat
getting into the supermarket is infinitesimally small. You have a better
chance of getting hit by a car when crossing the street or choking to death
on a hab.
Harry
-----Original Message-----
From: Byron Bromley <Byron.Bromley@gsd-co.com>
To: chile-heads@globalgarden.com <chile-heads@globalgarden.com>
Date: Thursday, January 28, 1999 10:04 AM
Subject: [CH] trichinosis
>If porkers are grain fed, there is a very slim chance of
>trichinosis, because there are traces of arsenic in the grain,
>which kills trichinosis.
>However if the pigs are 100% garbage fed, then the risk becomes
>very high, esp if there is red meat in the garbage.
>
>Also applies to Black bear that have been feeding around garbage
>dumps.