June 3, 2009

Measures by California State Senator Dean Florez to phase out the use of non-therapeutic antibiotics in livestock and to bolster the state's food safety system have been passed.

Concerns that the use of antibiotics as a feed additive is contributing to antibiotic-resistant infections nationwide, Senate Bill 416 dictates that schools cannot serve meat or poultry treated with non-therapeutic antibiotics after January 1, 2012.

By 2015, the ban will apply to any animal raised for human consumption in California.

Using non-therapeutic antibiotics on livestock immobilises the defense against food-borne illnesses and renders new human drugs ineffective before they enter the market, said Elanor Starmer, research analyst for consumer group Food & Water Watch.

Senate Bill 173 will require food growers and processors to promptly report a positive test for any food-borne illness to the California Department of Public Health and maintain records of all testing for two years. The bill will also give the Department the power of mandatory recall. Under the bill, any processor who does not test and later has a recall will face an automatic shutdown for six months and must cover all of the state's costs related to the outbreak.