What are antibiotics and why are they used in food animals?

Antibiotics are compounds produced by various living organisms, such as yeast or fungi. They inhibit the growth of or destroy certain organisms, such as bacteria. They are used to prevent and treat diseases in both animals and humans.

For more than 40 years, antibiotics have played a critical role in keeping our nation's food animals healthy. Eighty-seven percent of antibiotics in animal health are used for disease treatment, control and prevention. About 13% of the antibiotics used are to maintain the health of animals as measured by feed efficiency and average daily gain, a practice that also results in disease suppression within a herd or flock.

Does the use of antibiotics in food animals put humans more at risk from antibiotic resistant disease?

The potential exists for resistant bacteria from animals to transfer to humans. Because of this risk, the animal health industry, veterinarians, and farmers work together to ensure proper use of antibiotics. The stringent approval process and ongoing regulation of approved drugs minimizes the chance of adverse affects on humans and our environment.

In fact, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show levels of resistant food borne bacteria in humans are decreasing. USDA data shows that the presence of pathogens on raw meat has been reduced, and the CDC FoodNet reports a 23% decline in food borne illness since 1996.