PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Antibiotics are the most important defense we have against staph infections.

However, a troubling study in the April issue of "Clinical Infectious Diseases" magazine finds that nearly half of the meat and poultry produced in this country is contaminated with multi-drug resistant bacteria, specifically Staphylococcus Aureus.

"You're talking about profits over people," Steve Steingart, chief of food safety for the Allegheny County Health Department said.

He says the problem begins with large commercial farm producers.

"It's a known fact producers who produce these types of animals for slaughter do feed antibiotics to the animals and that's where you do get the problem," Steingart said.

The study found that nearly one out of every four samples of beef, turkey, pork and chicken were contaminated with the drug-resistant bacteria.

While the federal government does examine our meat and poultry for four kinds of drug-resistant bacteria, Staphylococcus Aureus is not one of them.

Consumers, like Carole Berman, are confused. "But we're always [hearing] that, 'This is bad for you, that is bad for you.' What do you believe?"

You can prevent cross-contamination by washing hands and there's one other simple way to avoid becoming sick from the bacteria strains.

"For example, thoroughly cooking meat, poultry to correct temperatures," Steingart said.

Also look for "All Natural" products which are antibiotic free.

"As a consumer you might want to go to your local supermarket, whoever it may be, and tell them you'd like to see more of that product on the shelves," Steingart said.

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