CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A new study is revealing a surprising source behind thousands of urinary tract infections.

It's not just personal hygiene or health conditions , researchers said some cases may actually be linked to the food on our plates.

The study found that nearly 1 in 5 urinary tract infections may be linked to eating contaminated meat.

Researchers found the same strains of the bacteria E-coli in meat sold in grocery stores and in patients with UTIs. The highest risks came from raw poultry, especially chicken and turkey, but beef and pork were also implicated.

While cooking kills harmful bacteria, the infection risk often comes from cross-contamination — for example, when raw meat juices touch your hands, kitchen surfaces or other food, and then the bacteria end up entering the

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