Top US Chicken Producer Will Stop Antibiotic Use

[misskit]

The largest chicken producer in the United States said Tuesday that it planned to stop giving its birds the same antibiotics doctors use to treat sick patients.

Tyson Foods said it aimed to stop using human antibiotics in its flocks by 2017.

The move came in response to the statements of health experts and consumer advocates that the practice is contributing to the growing number of antibiotic-resistant infections.

For decades, farmers have fed livestock small, regular doses of antibiotics. The drugs help the animals grow faster, and they prevent illness in confined flocks and herds.

But bacteria living in and on the animals eventually become immune to the antibiotics. And resistant bacteria can find their way into people, making infections harder, more expensive or even impossible to treat.

The meat industry has long downplayed the contribution it may be making to the problem. But in a statement announcing the company’s decision, Tyson President and CEO Donnie Smith took ownership of the issue.

“We want to do our part to responsibly reduce human antibiotics on the farm so these medicines can continue working when they’re needed to treat illness,” he said.

More here: Top US Chicken Producer Will Stop Antibiotic Use

[Jesus Jones]

Just been announced fluoride will be reduced in the US. Those conspiracy nuts, eh!