Improper use of antibiotics in animal husbandry can promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which is a major health threat to humans and animals. The use of all antibiotics-including in food animals-can lead to the emergence of resistant bacteria and pose an urgent threat to public health. In the past decade, important progress has been made in curbing the unnecessary use of these drugs, but there is still a lot of work to be done. 

The FDA prohibits the use of medically important antibiotics in animal growth. In 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued Industry Guidelines #209 and #213, requiring animal pharmaceutical companies to help stop the use of medically significant antibiotics to promote growth and ensure that these drugs are used under veterinary supervision. By the end of 2016, the company complied with these policies and updated the antibiotic label.

Livestock management requires an integrated framework. In 2018, major food companies throughout the supply chain, including retailers, livestock producers, trade and professional organizations, agreed to a comprehensive livestock industry antibiotic management framework. The creation of this framework is an encouraging first step towards a consensus on good management (striving to ensure that antibiotics are used only when necessary and appropriate).

At the same time, food companies have heard more from consumers interested in management standards that reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics on farms. The company has responded to consumer concerns through various sustainable development policies and food packaging labels, and has achieved varying degrees of success.

The FDA must accelerate plans to improve the use of antibiotics in food animals. In 2018, the FDA issued an ambitious agenda outlining the agency’s immediate goals to promote the wise use of animal antibiotics. Some of the initiatives in this five-year plan—such as removing medically important antibiotics from the over-the-counter drug environment—have been successful. However, many of the goals of the plan have not been resolved in time. For example, the agency still allows animals to take multiple antibiotics for a long time or indefinitely, although this use clearly violates the FDA's own definition of judicious use. The FDA needs to establish a duration limit for all animal antibiotics as soon as possible-this step will significantly reduce unnecessary use, and the Pew study shows that this can still be achieved before 2023.

The management of the industry must be more transparent and effective. Although the management framework is an important step forward, industry stakeholders still have a lot of work to do in integrating its principles into the supply chain. In addition, all stakeholders who use medically important antibiotics in animal production should regularly publicly report their use and drug resistance data. Stakeholders should also be able to demonstrate how they fulfilled their promise to fight antibiotic resistance. It can be seen from recent research that the assessment of industry progress is an important step towards achieving this transparency and accountability, and reveals that there are large differences in the quality and effectiveness of existing management plans that must be addressed .

Although data on antibiotic use and management practices are limited, sales of antibiotics in food animals have increased in the past two years, indicating that more urgent federal action is needed.

In addition to the above-mentioned priority actions, the FDA should also work closely with the USDA to strengthen data collection and research to show policy makers, researchers, and veterinarians a more complete picture of the use of antibiotics in animals in the United States. The federal government can and must take action. More measures to stimulate innovation in agricultural research—including improved animal management and the use and development of alternative antibiotics—can reduce the overall use of these drugs throughout the life cycle of commercial food animals. These efforts, as well as stronger and urgent actions by the federal government and the animal production industry, are essential to stop the unwise use of antibiotics, combat antibiotic resistance, and protect public health.

Publications on major antibiotic resistance projects used in food animals

David Hyun, MD, is the project director, and Helene Sherburne is a partner in the Pew Charitable Trust Antibiotic Resistance Project.

Receive our monthly news and action alerts on antibiotic resistance.

The power of knowledge drives us to solve today's most challenging problems. Pew uses rigorous analytical methods to improve public policies, inform the public, and revitalize citizens' lives.

Don’t miss the latest facts, findings and findings in The Rundown