Having covered the routine misuse of antibiotics in farming extensively over the last 12 months, often aided by our friends at the Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics, we take a look at the latest FDA regulations that relate to the issue.

The latest regulations implemented by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) represent an undeniable attempt to cap antibiotic use in livestock. Antibiotics have in the past regularly been given to chicken, cattle, pigs and other animals to treat diseases as well as prevention of disease but crucially to encourage animals to grow faster. Many of these antibiotics however, are also very important for treating human disease in medical practice. 

In the US, it is thought that more than 2 million people get sick from drug-resistant bacteria per annum,with almost 25,000 deaths a year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Many criticise the latest FDA rules regarding them as weak. Many argue that the rules would still let farmers use antibiotics for disease prevention, a significant part of the issue. 

Meat consumption is on the increase as well, as productivity and the price of raising livestock has decreased thus forcing prices down and demand up. 

It is alleged that almost 70% of antibiotics developed to treat humans are sold for use in feed and water for farm animals.

To read more into the issues facing the food and beverage industry, take a look at some of our previous articles here. With regard to new FDA regulations it seems all we can do is wait and see what is to come…