April 16, 2012

FDA restricts use of antibiotics in animal feed

Warning for food producers, veterinarians and drug companies has been issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to limit antibiotic use in farm animals as this antibiotic overuse can lead to increase of germs such as staph, which are growing progressively resistant to antibiotics, threatening human health.

Health experts opposed that the idea of mixing of antibiotics in animal feed to make pigs, chickens and livestock gain weight and become more resistant to disease.

The FDA stated that it has proposed a three-year voluntary plan to aid farmers, veterinarians and animal producers to use medically important antibiotics carefully by restricting their use only to fight diseases and other health problems in animals. Certain antibiotics under this initiative would not be used for "production" purposes that comprise improving the effectiveness of animal feed and enhancing growth.