How are antibiotics used in meat and poultry?
The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of antibiotics in animal feed nearly 50 years ago. Antibiotics are used four ways in food animals: to treat disease, prevent disease, control disease and promote growth. Farmers use antibiotics to prevent, treat and control diseases such as pneumonia, hepatitis, and salmonellosis. Antibiotics can help promote growth in animals by controlling intestinal bacteria than can block nutrient absorption. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly two-thirds or 64% of all antibiotics used in the United States are given to treat human illnesses. Less than one-third or 30% of antibiotics are used to prevent and treat animal illnesses while 6% are used to promote animal growth. Unfortunately, many people mistakenly believe that meat and poultry products contain high levels of antibiotic residues. Meat and poultry products are routinely tested by the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agricult
