The release of a new study by Consumer Reports, which found that antibiotic-free turkey products have lower levels of drug resistance than conventional products, sparked a wide variety of reactions yesterday. Depending on who you ask, the study is either alarming or offers evidence that turkey has an amazing food safety record. The National Turkey… Continue Reading
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators this week asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be more transparent when they publish data regarding the use of antimicrobial drugs in food animal production. The lawmakers, including Sens. Tom Harkin (D-IA), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), most of… Continue Reading
The ongoing debate over the use of antibiotics in agriculture got a bit of fuel on Thursday. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Mike Apley of Kansas State University, Lance Price of George Washington University and Stephen McDonnell, CEO of Applegate – a leading producer of organic meats – were all featured on the popular syndicated radio… Continue Reading
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Monday released its version of the Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA) without the provisions that would have beefed up the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s annual reporting of antibiotic sales for use in food animal production. The move disappointed health and agriculture reform advocates who… Continue Reading
Part II of Food Safety News’ conversation with Michael Taylor, Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, covers sequestration, pet food, antibiotics and whether he plans to retire anytime soon. Q: Right now your agency is looking at cuts, not increases. Some estimate that FDA is taking essentially… Continue Reading
Two leading Democrat members of Congress, Henry Waxman (CA) and Louise Slaughter (NY), introduced legislation this week aimed at providing more detail on the amount and use of antimicrobial drugs given to animals raised for food. The legislation, dubbed the Delivering Antimicrobial Transparency in Animals (DATA) Act, says it will help public health officials and scientists… Continue Reading
China’s food safety investigation into antibiotics found in chickens served by Yum Brands didn’t result in any fines or other enforcement action. That’s the good news. The bad news for Yum Brands is that recovery is going to take longer than the company predicted and it’s going to put a longer squeeze on profits than… Continue Reading
Opinion
The scientists here at Consumer Reports read Dr. Richard Raymond’s op-ed “Antibiotics and Animals Raised for Food: Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics” with great interest. We were particularly struck by his assertion that most antibiotics used in animal production are not used to treat humans and are therefore “not critical to your or my health.”… Continue Reading
Opinion
To some, the ongoing debate over the use of antibiotics in animals raised for food is like the sign post in the Wizard of Oz — pointing in opposite directions. But from reading “Antibiotics in Food Animal Production: Pew’s Response to Raymond Op-Ed,” Jan.11, there is violent agreement between PEW and the animal health industry…. Continue Reading
Both Purina and Milo’s Kitchen are voluntarily recalling chicken dog treats nationwide due to the potential that the products may contain trace amounts of residual antibiotics. The recalled products include Purina’s Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch dog treats, as well as Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Jerky and Chicken Grillers. On Monday, the New York State… Continue Reading
Opinion
This piece is co-authored by Dr. Robert Lawrence and Tyler J. Smith of the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future. We read Dr. Richard Raymond’s recent article on antibiotic use in food animals with great interest. Dr. Raymond is a physician who has served this country as Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S…. Continue Reading