Federal Judge Orders FDA to Limit Antibiotics On Farms

A United States Magistrate Judge has ruled that the FDA must begin to eliminate the use of non-medical uses of certain antibiotics in livestock as they are contributing to antibiotic resistant infections in humans. Penicillan and tatracycline are given to cattle, pigs, chickens and turkeys in low doses to promote growth and prevent illness. Studies show that over 70% of the antibiotics used in the U.S. are given to farm animals at low doses. Scientists have warned for years that the practice was promoting the growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria which could jump to humans.