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Think twice before ordering croc for lunch.
Think twice before ordering croc for lunch.
Whether they're bred in captivity or caught in the wild, a new study shows that eating reptiles comes with a broad range of health risks. In various cultures around the world, it's become common, even trendy, to eat turtle, crocodile and alligator, as well as various species of snake and lizard. Whether you subscribe to the notion, "Let's get them before they get us" or are just intrigued to try something new, biologists would encourage you to think twice.
Reptiles are bred in captivity primarily for their skins, but some restaurants and population groups also want them for their meat. A study shows that eating these animals can have side effects that call into question the wisdom of eating this 'delicacy'.
Parasites, bacteria and viruses, and to a lesser extent contamination from heavy metals and residues of veterinary drugs-- eating reptile meat can cause several problems to health. This is the conclusion of a study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology, which shows that people can catch certain diseases (trichinosis, pentastomiasis, gnathostomiasis and sparganosis) by eating the meat of reptiles such as crocodiles, turtles, lizards or snakes.
"The clearest microbiological risk comes from the possible presence of pathogenic bacteria, especially Salmonella, and also Shigella, E. coli, Yersinia enterolitica, Campylobacter, Clostridium and Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause illnesses of varying degrees of severity," Simone Magnino, lead author of the study and a researcher for the World Health Organization (WHO), said. "Although the majority of the information published about these risks is in relation to reptiles raised as domestic animals (pets), there are also publications relating to wild species or those bred in captivity," explains Magnino.
It may be hard to summon the same level of affection for a crocodile that you might feel for a cute, furry farm animal, but reptiles are amazing creatures, too. Like every other animal species, they can feel pain. What's more, they play critical roles in their ecosystems, so the knowledge that eating them may make you very ill is just one more reason to let them live in peace where they belong. In the wild.
For a meal that is guaranteed reptile-free, take advantage of the many meatless promotions at http://KindMeal.my/
Source: http://bit.ly/100InUk
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