April 13, 2005

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in US poultry still persist

One year after two large poultry producers have stopped using the antibiotic fluoroquinolones, bacteria resistant to it continues to be found in chickens bought at area supermarkets in the United States.

A John Hopkins researcher said the findings show that the antibiotic-resistant bacteria still persists in the industry long after the use of the antibiotic was stopped, and may have contaminated much more poultry than previously expected. The samples were from Perdue, Tyson and two antibiotic-free producers.

Perdue has no comments concerning the research done, but said antibiotics are used only in the humane treatment of ill or at-risk chickens.

"Perdue does not use antibiotics for the purpose of growth promotion nor do we use any antibiotics continuously for any reason whatsoever," a company statement declared.

The bacterium, campylobacter, is responsible for 2.4 million cases of food-borne illness a year in the US.