At least 19 people in seven states, including Montana, Utah, and Colorado, have been sickened by an E. coli outbreak linked to packaged chicken salad. Since health officials have been blaming celery and onions for the outbreak, many people may not realize that meat consumption is the root cause of the problem.
Plant-based foods don't naturally harbor E. coli bacteria. It lives in the intestinal tracts and feces of warm-blooded animals. When cow or chicken manure is used to fertilize crops or leaks into waterways, fruits and vegetables can become contaminated. (Cross-contamination can also occur when produce is placed on the same surface as meat, or when someone doesn't practice proper hygiene.)
When more people adopt a vegan diet, fewer animals will be bred for food, lessening the threat of E. coli contamination. See www.PETA.org for more information and free vegan recipes, including one for mock chicken salad.
The PETA Foundation