FDA Report Indicates Slight Decrease in Antibiotic Sales for Livestock
In a recent story, new data from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reveals a 2% drop in sales in the USA of medically important antibiotics for livestock, totalling 6.1 million kilograms in 2023. This marks a significant 37% decline since 2015, primarily due to new regulations that ended the use of these antibiotics for growth promotion and mandated veterinary oversight. While the reduction is encouraging, it is crucial to recognise that not all sectors have followed this downward trend. For instance, sales for cattle and swine have increased by 7.8% and 32.6%, respectively, raising concerns about the potential for heightened antibiotic resistance.
Poultry has seen the most substantial improvement, with antibiotic sales dropping by 45% since 2017, largely driven by consumer demand for antibiotic-free products. This indicates that meaningful changes in antibiotic use are possible, but the rising figures in cattle and swine suggest a troubling shift. Experts warn that excessive antibiotic use in livestock contributes to an abundance of resistant bacteria, which poses significant risks to both animal and human health.
To address these challenges, better data collection on antibiotic use in food-producing animals is essential. The FDA has acknowledged gaps in its current reporting system and plans to enhance its data collection efforts. Improved data will help monitor the relationship between antibiotic use and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, ultimately guiding more effective policies and practices. Continued vigilance in testing and monitoring is vital to ensuring the safety of our food supply and protecting public health against the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.
To help aid antibiotic testing within the industry, Randox Food Diagnostics offers the technology for in-house drug residue screening of meat, urine, egg and feed samples on the Evidence Investigator analyser. This allows users to test up to 48 meat samples for antibiotics, growth promoters, anthelmintics, coccidiostats and steroids in under 2.5 hours using the revolutionary Biochip Array Technology.
A range of rapid and accurate ELISA kits have also been developed for antibiotic testing within meat tissues.
For more information on our vast range of screening arrays available please get in touch with us at: info@randoxfood.com