December 24, 2007

Tyson's new antibiotic label for fresh chicken approved by USDA

Tyson Foods Inc. has reached a consensus with the USDA after its initial labeling on fresh chicken was rejected.

Tyson had announced in June it would not use antibiotics any longer to raise chicken that is sold fresh in stores. The product would also be promoted as part of a US$70 million advertising campaign.

The revised labels will state that its fresh chicken is "raised without antibiotics that impact antibiotic resistance in humans."

The USDA withdrew its consent of Tyson's chicken labels last month.

The original labels said the chicken was "raised without antibiotics."

The agency announced it had mistakenly overlooked ionophores, a feed additive used in Tyson's chickens. The USDA has a long-standing policy of classifying ionophores as antibiotics.

According to Tyson, "ionophores are not used in human medicine and do not contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance to important human drugs. They remain in the intestinal tract of the animal and do not carry over into the meat consumed by humans."

The company uses ionophores to prevent intestinal illness in chickens. The company said it will start to bring in the new labels over the next few months.