Press Release on the Use of Antibiotics in Food Production
Dear Readers — I received this press release last week in my email, and wanted to pass it along. Please do your own research. I’m not sure about the politics attached, I just know that overuse of any drug in our food supply can’t be a good thing. Take a look, do the reading, and if you are interested in getting involved and leaving a comment, please do so.
Press Release Info on Misuse of Antibiotics in Food Animal Production
Currently the FDA has issued recommendations on reducing the misuse of antibiotics in food animal production and is seeking comments from the public for support. Unfortunately, these recommendations are not binding.
Food animals are still being overfed antibiotics to artificially promote growth and compensate for the effects of overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. This practice leads to strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can spread to humans. According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 90,000 people die each year of hospital-acquired infectious diseases.[i] Many of these infections are resistant to at least one antibiotic.
This is not about ending the use of antibiotics to treat food animals when they’re sick, rather it is about stopping the practice of antibiotic overuse.
You can help. Ask the FDA to take stronger action to control the overuse of antibiotics in our food. Take action, spread the word, and send your letter to the FDA urging them to take stronger action against the overuse of antibiotics in food animals on industrial farms.
Comments must be submitted by Wednesday, August 25. 2010
For more information on the issue, please visit: Save Antibiotics Dot Org
[i] Infections Diseases Society of America. 2004. idsocierty.org/WorkArea/showcontent/aspx?id=5554: Bad Bugs, No Drugs: AS Antibiotic Discovery Stagnates…a Public Health Crisis Brews.
(Photo Via: I can has internets)
