Is antibiotic use among livestock and poultry producers contributing to antibiotic resistance in humans?
For more than 40 years, antibiotics approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been used to treat sick animals, prevent illness and maintain the health of animals. Livestock and poultry producers rely on these products so they can provide U.S. consumers with the safest food possible. Several layers of protection exist to ensure antibiotics are used to keep animals healthy without harm to public health. Although it is possible that antibiotic resistant bacteria can develop in animals as a direct result of antibiotic use and can cause resistant infections in humans via food, studies show it is highly improbable. Despite the scientific uncertainty, FDA and USDA, along with the veterinary community, animal health companies, producer organizations and other stakeholders have put in place several layers of human health protections during the past decade to reduce any risks associated with antibiotic use in animals. These measures, or layers of protection, include: • A stringent
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