TB from meat report “irresponsible scaremongering”

Defra has accused The Sunday Times of “irresponsible scaremongering” over a report suggesting that people are at risk of contracting TB through eating meat.

Currently, all meat from cattle slaughtered due to bovine TB must undergo food safety checks before it is passed as fit for consumption.

The Government reckons this means that the risk of a consumer contracting TB is “extremely low”, regardless of whether or how the meat is cooked.

According to Defra, the Food Standards Agency has confirmed there are no known cases where someone has contracted TB from eating meat.