[Possibilities of survival of various parasites in meat and meat products]

The consumption of meat and meat products may result in parasitic infection in man. Trichinella spiralis infection can be very dangerous, but this parasite is now rarely encountered in the Netherlands; the same applies to Taenia solium. Taenia saginata is regularly detected but is not particularly harmful to the consumer. The pathogenicity of Sarcocystis bovihominis and Sarcocystis suihominis for humans remains uncertain. Toxoplasma gondii may give rise to severe problems, particularly congenital infections. It appears that freezing meat for a sufficient time, or heating to 70 degrees C core temperature, inactivate the parasites mentioned. Dry cured ham and fermented sausages present little danger. Further study of the survival of parasites in ' osseworst ', filet American and roastbeef is necessary.