"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said [Wednesday] it is calling on the nation's pork, beef, and poultry producers to reduce their use of antibiotics. But some watchdog groups say this voluntary guidance doesn't go nearly far enough."
"The issue has been contentious for decades. Just last month, a federal judge ruled that the FDA had to go ahead with a plan it proposed in 1977 that would ban the use of some antibiotics as a growth promoter in animals.
Farm animals in the U.S. actually consume far more antibiotics than people do in part because producers want to keep their animals healthy. But a big reason animals routinely get antibiotics is that the drugs also make them grow faster.
For years, the FDA has been saying that practice is both unnecessary and dangerous. It increases the chances that bacteria in animals will become resistant to drugs — and those drug-resistant bacteria can then infect people. But that hasn't significantly reduced use."
Dan Charles reports for NPR's Salt blog on All Things Considered April 11, 2012.
SEE ALSO:
"FDA Plan Would Seek Voluntary Limits of Antibiotics in Animal Feed" (Washington Post)
"FDA Lays Out Steps To Reduce Overuse of Antibiotics in Animals Raised for Food" (AP)
"FDA: Stop Giving Antibiotics To Animals" (USA TODAY)
"FDA Says Stop Feeding Antibiotics To Healthy Animals for Growth Promotion" (Chicago Tribune)
"FDA Tries to Curb Antibiotics Use on the Farm" (Wall St. Journal)
"FDA seeks ag antibiotic limits" (Omaha World-Herald)
