FDA Prohibits Use of Certain Antibiotics in Livestock

Posted on January 11, 2012

According to news sources, a ruling issued by the Food and Drug Administration today will effectively put an end to the practice of using common antibiotics in livestock, in an attempt to protect human beings from drug-resistant bacteria, which may have evolved as a direct result of the practice.

The ruling will prevent only drugs belonging to the class of antibiotics known as cephalosporins from being used in livestock. The measure places an emphasis on preventing the use of this class of antibiotics in certain types of livestock, such as cattle, swine, turkeys and poultry. The threat arises from the livestock carrying drug-resistant germs in their manure or flesh, which they can then transmit to humans, as a result of the antibiotic treatments they receive to treat certain disease.

The purpose of the ruling is to help decrease the number of people becoming ill due to spreading resistant superbugs, by prohibiting the extra-label use of this class of antibiotics.

As a Long Beach personal injury lawyer, I appreciate all efforts being made to ensure increased healthcare safety standards for patients. I hope this information can help raise awareness about this practice and keep consumers safe. If you or a loved one has been injured through the use or consumption of a defective product, speak with a personal injury attorney Long Beach to learn about the legal options available to you.

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