Article

FDA changing course on antibiotics in livestock

The debate over the drug use in food animals continues as federal regulators tackle the issues of drug-resistance and shorter supplies.

January 9, 2012

Publication: The Los Angeles Times

Author: Jill U. Adams

Only 20 percent of the antibiotics sold in the U.S. are given to people who are sick with bacterial infections, such as ear and urinary tract infections and pneumonia. Most of the penicillin, tetracycline and other antibiotic drugs used in this country are given to livestock that are perfectly healthy.

Farmers have been putting these medicines in animal feed since the 1950s. They say the drugs help protect herds from infectious diseases and help animals grow faster.

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