FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Natural Pork; No Threat of Antibiotic Resistance MOUNTAIN VIEW, Mo. (May 27, 2004) – Russ Kremer almost let a hog get the best of him. After being bitten by a boar infected with the staphylococcal bacteria, Kremer’s leg got so infected it swelled to twice the normal size. Even after five different antibiotic treatments, the infection continued to spread throughout his bloodstream. What Kremer didn’t know was that his newly acquired boar
was continuously fed antibiotics to prevent the spread of these
bacteria. However, feeding antibiotics to the boar to prevent staph
infections didn’t work. The boar carried the bacteria in
a mutated form. When Kremer got bitten, the staph bacteria had
already formed a resistance to the antibiotics used to treat humans.
Finally, after the most powerful antibiotic was used, Kremer recovered. Years after the boar bite, Kremer, president of the Ozark Mountain Pork Cooperative, still personally understands the harm of feeding antibiotics for disease prevention and growth promotion. Even the Government Accounting Office realizes the risks. On May 25, The GAO just released a new report warning that antibiotic resistance in humans from the use of antibiotics in animals poses an “unacceptable risk” to human health. That’s why Ozark Mountain Pork Cooperative, located in Mountain View, Mo. and owned by 52 Missouri family farmers, recently launched a new product line called Heritage Acres All Natural Pork. The all-natural pork products are not processed with preservatives, MSG or artificial ingredients. The hogs are not given antibiotics unless they need them. And if they are treated with antibiotics, they are slaughtered at a different processing plant. “The farmers of the cooperative are dedicated to sustainable agriculture practices that preserve the environment, their family and their community’s health,” said Kremer. “Their dedication to quality and safety can be verified or traced from their farms’ to the consumer’s table.” On April 15, the Heritage Acres All Natural Fresh Pork line was introduced to natural pork buyers. The Heritage Acres All Natural Fresh Sausages and Fully Cooked Wieners and Sausages were launched on May 10. For now, the all natural pork is being sold to up scale restaurants and specialty meat stores. Promotions and sales are also being held at the Maplewood Farmers Market at Schlafly Bottleworks in St. Louis. For more information on Heritage Acres Pork, please visit www.heritageacresfoods.com. The diversification of Heritage Acres pork products was partially funded from a $420,000 USDA Value-Added Agricultural Product Market Development Grant that allowed them to expand their niche market. Technical assistance and continued support for the Ozark Mountain Pork Cooperative, located in Mountain View, Mo., was provided by the Family Farm Opportunity Center, the cooperative development branch of Missouri Farmers Union. Missouri Farmers Union’s mission is to protect and enhance the economic interests and way of life of family farmers and ranchers and the rural communities they represent. MFU is a true advocacy organization representing family farms and rural communities. For more information or to join, go to www.missourifarmersunion.org. ### |
