
The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee New Study: Chicken Causes 1 in 5 UTIs — Dr. Neal Barnard Explains Hidden Risk
Nov 20, 2025
Dr. Neal Barnard, a physician and nutrition researcher, dives into startling research revealing that chicken is linked to approximately one in five urinary tract infections (UTIs). He explains how E. coli from poultry contaminates meat and stresses that cooking isn't a foolproof solution due to cross-contamination in kitchens. Barnard also discusses the impact of a plant-based diet on reducing UTI risks and highlights foods like cranberries and blueberries that can help prevent infections. The conversation includes insights on antibiotic resistance and the effects of poverty on UTI rates.
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Poultry Linked To One In Five UTIs
- New research linked E. coli strains from poultry to human infections and estimated chicken causes about 20% of UTIs.
- Neal Barnard and the study team matched bacterial signatures from meat and patient samples to reach this conclusion.
Processing Spreads Fecal Bacteria To Meat
- Slaughter and processing commonly transfer fecal E. coli onto poultry meat that reaches consumers.
- That contamination can survive to colonize a person's gut and later travel to the bladder.
Fast Turnaround And Messy Processing
- Neal Barnard describes the fast six-week cycle from chick to slaughter and messy processing where feces contact meat.
- He emphasizes inspectors can't catch every contamination when chickens pass so quickly.

