Contaminated meat blamed for rise in common urinary infections, experts warn

UTIs can occur with the introduction of bacteria, like E. coli, into the system, which can be caused by poor hygiene, sexual activity, inability to empty the bladder fully and other factors, according to experts.

The researchers proposed that this poses a "hidden foodborne risk to millions of people" across the U.S., as noted in a press release.

It was determined that 18% of UTIs were linked to E. coli strains of animal origin, known as foodborne UTIs. The highest-risk strains were most often found in chicken and turkey.

More investigation is needed to "distinguish foodborne transmission from other possible exposures" and to research other areas and infection types, according to the researchers. 

"But our findings suggest that they are also a food safety problem," he went on. "This opens up new avenues for prevention, especially for vulnerable communities that bear a disproportionate burden."

Price suggested that this problem occurs across the U.S., despite this first study being conducted in Southern California.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, the professor added that the rate of UTIs in this region was more than twice what had been detected in a previous study in Arizona.

"This is just one example of dangerous pathogens spreading to people through the food supply," he said. 

The George Washington researchers plan to explore interventions that could reduce the risk of foodborne infections.

Meanwhile, to prevent sickness, Price recommends that people always assume that raw meat and poultry are contaminated with bacteria and to take precautions in the kitchen. 

All meat and poultry should be thoroughly cooked, experts advise, and cross-contamination in the kitchen should be avoided. Hands and surfaces should be washed after preparing raw meat.

Fox News Digital reached out to various U.S. meat associations for comment, including the National Chicken Council (NCC) and National Turkey Federation (NTF).