Page 43 - FoodFocusThailand No.145_April 2018

STRONG QC & QA

How does Antibiotic use in Food Animals Affect Responsible Use of Antibiotics
People? Antibiotics must be used responsibly in both humans and animals
All animals carry bacteria in their intestines. Giving antibiotics to because both uses help bring about the development, persistence,
animals will kill many bacteria, but resistant bacteria can survive and and spread of resistant bacteria. Antibiotics are valuable tools for
multiply. When food animals are slaughtered and processed, these reducing animal disease and suffering from bacterial infections, but
bacteria can contaminate the meat or other animal products. These decisions about which antibiotics to use in food animals and how to
bacteria can also get into the environment through animal stool and use them must be made with consideration of their potential impact
may spread to produce that is irrigated with contaminated water. Food on human health.
can get contaminated whether the bacteria are resistant to antibiotics Any use of antibiotics can lead to resistance. However, when
or not. animals are given antibiotics for growth promotion or increased feed
People can be exposed to resistant bacteria from animals: efficiency, bacteria are exposed to low doses of these drugs over a
• From handling or eating raw or undercooked food from animals long period of time. This type of exposure to antibiotics may lead to
or produce contaminated with resistant bacteria the survival and growth of resistant bacteria. This is inappropriate
• From contact with animal stool (either directly or when it gets antibiotic use.
into water for drinking, swimming or growing plants) USFDA has approved antibiotics for these uses in food animals:
• From touching or caring for animals • Disease treatment for animals that are sick;
Some resistant infections cause severe illness. People with these • Disease control for a group of animals when some of the animals
infections may be more likely to be hospitalized and have higher are sick;
medical expenses; take longer to get well again; or die from the • Disease prevention for animals that are at risk of becoming
infection. sick.
Scientists around the world have provided strong evidence that Visit FDA’s Strategy on Antimicrobial Resistance to learn more
antibiotic use in food animals can lead to resistant infections in about its guidance on using antibiotics responsibly in food
humans. Studies have shown that: antibiotic use in food animals animals.
allows antibiotic-resistant bacteria to grow and crowd out the bacteria
that do respond to antibiotics, resistant bacteria can contaminate
food from the animals; and resistant bacteria in food can cause
infections in humans. Additional Information
This site uses the term “antibiotics” to refer to antimicrobial agents used to treat
bacterial infections in both people and animals.

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