January 25, 2006

Major US poultry producers cutting down use of antibiotics
 

Four out of ten major US poultry producers have cut their use of antibiotics substantially, according to a report by USA Today.

Tyson Foods, Inc., the largest chicken producer in the US, has cut its antibiotic use in chicken production by 93 percent since 1997. Less than 1 percent of the company's broiler chickens received antibiotics in 2004. Tyson states it has stopped using antibiotics as growth promoters in chickens. It is now only using it to treat or prevent an imminent threat of disease. Other top poultry producers that have also reduced their use of antibiotics include Perdue, Gold Kist, and Foster Farms, according to the article.

Health groups such as the Keep Antibiotics Working Coalition (KAW) applauded the move, as they believe overuse of antibiotics may cause lessened resistance in humans and animals.

New policies by major purchasers of chicken such as McDonald's and Bon Appetit requiring meat from birds raised using fewer antibiotics may have been prime drivers of the change. KAW members worked with both companies in drafting their policies.

Poultry producers may also be cutting down on the use of antibiotics due to the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act, which phases out use of medically important antibiotics as feed additives.