The authors noted that new trend in the production of free-range, organically raised meat could increase the risk of Toxoplasma gondii contamination of meat.
Foods which are more likely to carry the parasite in the US are - raw ground beef or rare lamb; unpasteurized goat`s milk; locally produced cured, dried or smoked meat; and raw oysters, clams or mussels.
Toxoplasmosis, the illness caused by the parasite, can lead to severe illness in pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system. In its early stages, it causes flu-like symptoms, and if severe, it can lead to damage to the brain, eyes and other organs.
The researchers recommended that cooking meat thoroughly could lower the risk of the infection, as the parasites are usually found on the insides of animals, not on the meat`s surface.
