FDA Restricts Use of Antibiotics in Livestock

Jan. 4, 2012 - PRLog -- On Wednesday the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced their decision to restrict the use of a certain class of antibiotics in cattle, pigs, chicken, and turkeys, reports the New York Times. Officials believe that the use of these drugs, known as cephalosporins, in livestock has contributed to the increase of bacteria that can resist treatment. These resistant superbugs that have evolved to survive antibiotic regimens can cause serious, even deadly infections in humans.

Cephalosporins, such as the brands Cefzil and Keflex, are often added to animal feed or injected into fertilized eggs in order to prevent disease and encourage growth in livestock. However, these antibiotics are also among the most common ones prescribed before surgery or to treat strep throat, bronchitis, skin infections, and urinary tract infections, according to the New York Times. Therefore, the FDA is concerned that their frequent use in livestock will have harmful consequences on their ability to control infections in humans. For those in the agricultural sector, however, this new regulation may prove burdensome.

“EMSL Analytical, Inc. has created custom testing methods for antibiotics in livestock for numerous clients, including farmers and ranchers,” states Joy DellAringa, M.S., RM (NRM), CFSP, National Food Microbiology Supervisor at EMSL. “Our dedicated account managers have a great deal of experience helping customers navigate the regulatory process and tailoring a project to their specific needs.”

For more information on EMSL’s food testing services, please contact EMSL at (800) 220-3675, email info@emsl.com, or visit www.EMSL.com or www.FoodTestingLab.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical, Inc. is a full service testing company providing quality lab services under the same private ownership since 1981. Including the corporate lab facility in Cinnaminson, NJ, EMSL Analytical operates over thirty laboratories nationwide in the US and Canada. We provide analytical services for environmental, indoor air quality (IAQ), industrial hygiene, forensics and materials science, consumer products, food safety, PCR, pharmaceutical, asbestos, lead, and radiological samples. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations, as well as state and federal regulating bodies. Please see our website for a complete listing of accreditations.

# # #

EMSL Analytical Inc. is a nationally recognized accredited testing laboratory and locally focused provider of consumer product, environmental, microbiology, industrial hygiene, food and materials testing services to professionals and the general public.