Concerns about filet americain are unnecessary

The Association for the Dutch Processed Meat Industry (VNV) is surprised by reports in the media about the consumption of raw meat products. It has long been widely known that certain groups of people may be at risk from the consumption of unheated products. This is also the reason why the Nutrition Centre advises pregnant women and people with reduced resistance not to eat raw products as a precaution. The current reporting on filet americain is not at all supported by concrete facts. There is no demonstrable evidence that cases of disease are linked to the consumption of this product. Nor is it necessary for consumers to freeze this product themselves before using it. 

No concrete substantiation 

As is known, Toxoplasmosis may result from eating raw products, but this is not the only source. Studies and research on this subject are mainly based on predictive models. According to RIVM, 41% of the cases of disease are attributable to raw meat products, but there is no concrete evidence for this. The same does not apply to the claim that filet americain, which has been consumed safely for many years, is the most important source. 

Research has been in full swing for some time now 

Producers of raw meat products such as filet americain ensure that their products are safe and constantly apply new scientific insights. RIVM's research concerns a social cost-benefit analysis of one of the possible measures to prevent an infection with Toxoplasma, namely to freeze certain raw meat products as standard. However, this measure has a negative impact on the quality of the end products. This is also the reason why the meat products sector, together with Wageningen University, TNO and the same RIVM, has for some time been doing a lot of research into the effect of current or new methods, such as the use of preservative ingredients or combinations of these with process measures.

Source: VNV