Non-organic chickens carrying E. coli may be responsible for increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women, the CDC warns. The bladder infections are difficult to treat because the superbugs which cause them are resistant to antibiotics.
"We found genetic similarities between E. coli from animals in abattoirs [slaughterhouses], principally chickens, and ExPEC [Extraintestinal Pathogenic E. coli] causing UTIs in humans. ExPEC transmission from food animals could be responsible for human infections, and chickens are the most probable reservoir," the CDC said in its report.
The National Chicken Council, a pro-poultry lobby, has responded to the warnings, saying E. coli does not originate in chickens that are fed antibiotics and changes to the use of antibiotics in poultry have no effect on the risks humans have to E.coli.
Antibiotics are fed to chickens to protect them from disease in compromised living circumstances. It also makes the chickens grow at unnatural rates.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.