A food technologist, Dr Olusegun Obadina, on Thursday warned the public to desist from eating excessive red meat saying it could contain some antibiotic resistants that were harmful to the body.

Obadina, also an Associate Professor of Food Technology at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said the warning had become imperative considering the rate at which the public would consume red meat during the Yuletide and other festivities.

“People tend to consume too much of red meat during the celebrations but in all caution must not be thrown to the winds.

“This warning becomes imperative because bacteria in our meat supply are becoming antibiotic resistants. Antibiotic bacteria are affecting the population.

“Antibiotic resistant bacteria can be spread through medical procedures; the unhygienic preparation of the meat in the abattoirs is majorly the cause of this.

“The overuse of antibiotics in humans for illnesses like cold or flu is typically the first thought that comes to mind. But what about antibiotics grown in meat?’’ he said.

Obadina said, “Several farms are doping their animals without being supervised by a veterinarian and this can create the perfect breeding ground for antibiotic resistant bacteria.

“Meat infected with antibiotic resistant bacteria can be transferred from abattoirs to the consumer and when it is consumed by humans, it can decrease the effectiveness of antibiotics in their bodies as well.

“The general public should either cut short the consumption of red meat or rather stay away if they do not trust the source,’’ he said.