The addition of antibiotics to plants and animal foods is a rising concern because of the economic impact and the potential for drug-resistant bacterial growth in animals, humans and plant life. Without the use of antibiotics farmers and ranchers are faced with the challenge of increased costs and a reduction in their profit margins. The consumer, however, shoulders the final burden of an increased ingestion of antibiotics, one that may also decrease her ability to fight infections that are resistant to the antibiotics.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are medicines discovered in the 1950s that were found to have an effect on bacterial infections in humans and animals. However, when used in the wrong way, they can actually cause more harm than good, warns FamilyDoctor.org, website of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Antibiotics only work against bacteria and have no effect on fungi, viruses and certain parasites. Bacterial resistance to specific medications develops when the antibiotics cannot stop the bacteria from growing or cannot kill the bacteria. This can develop when when low levels of antibiotics are used and the bacteria is not completely killed. The remaining bacteria can alter their DNA so they are now resistant to the medication. When animals receive low doses of antibiotics over a long period of time or when you do not take your full dose of medication it can lead to resistance to the medication by the bacteria.
Meat
Antibiotics are sprayed on animal foods and water for poultry, cattle and hogs. They have been used for approximately 50 years at subtherapeutic levels to help animals grow faster, produce more meat and avoid illness, according to the Food Marketing Insitute, which represents over 1,500 food retailers and wholesalers in education, research and governmental relations. These antibiotics are responsible for the development of resistant bacteria in both humans and animals. The meat must pass inspection for residue and cannot exceed current tolerance levels.
In a commentary published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nicole Iovine and Martin Blaser from NYU School of Medicine recommend that antibiotics should be withdrawn from use in meat-producing animals except when necessary to treat ill animals after an outbreak of Campylobacter bacterial infections. In an interview with a CBS news reporter, Managing Director Shelly Hearne of Pew Health Group warns that resistant bacteria can be spread to the community through the food supply, by handling food that has been infected, by airborne bacteria and through water that runs off from the farm.
Milk
Antiobiotics are also used on dairy cows that produce milk for manufacturers. The occurrence and detection of these antibiotics are of concern to the industry. According to the North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, standard testing may not detect all the antibiotics being used in lactating cows. Antibiotics are used to treat mastitis in cows, which are bred to have large pituitary glands that increase the amount of milk they can produce.
Plants
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved antibiotics for use in 12 fruit, vegetable and ornamental plants. The antibiotics are registered for use primarily for the control of bacterial disease. Although growers attempt to use other means, antibiotics are integral in the management of apple, pear, nectarine and peach production, according to the University of Wisconsin. Growers have strict application processes that include protective gear such as respirators, gloves and boots to protect the person applying the antibiotic to the crop. The antibiotics are usually spread over hundreds of acres of plants, are not tested for purity and the use of other chemicals can reduce the effectiveness of the antibiotic. As the fruit and vegetables grow the antibiotics are integrated into the harvested plant and ingested by the end user.
References
- FamilyDoctor.org: Antibiotics: When They Can and Can't Help
- Food Marketing Insitute: Low-Level Use of Antibiotics in Livestock and Poultry
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; "Antibiotics in Animal Feed and Spread of Resistant Campylobacter from Poultry to Humans"; N.Iovine and M. Blaser; 2004
- CBS: Animal Antibiotic Overuse Hurting Humans?
- North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences: Preventing Antibiotic Residues in Milk
- University of Wisconsin: Antibiotic Use in Plant Disease Control
