President Barack Obama recently directed federal agencies to serve antibiotic-free meat and poultry in government cafeterias. The FDA will require animal producers to obtain authorization from a licensed veterinarian to use drugs to treat a specific disease, rather than just to promote rapid growth. As much as 80 percent of all U.S. antibiotics are used in animal agriculture.
There is growing concern about the link between routine antibiotic use in animal agriculture and human infections by bacteria that have developed resistance to antibiotics because of their excessive use. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that antibiotic resistance causes 2 million illnesses annually in the U.S. and 23,000 deaths. It is also responsible for $20 billion per year in health care costs and $35 billion in lost productivity.
While government agencies reduce antibiotics in animal products, the rest of us can do better immediately with wholesome vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains and a rich variety of plant-based meats, cheeses, milks and ice cream. These foods contain all the nutrients we require, without the deadly pathogens, antibiotics, carcinogens, cholesterol and saturated fats.
Bob Cartier, Rockville