In its report, CDC said that livestock producers have an important role to play in preventing resistance -- and NAMI agreed according to Carpenter.
"In fact, in contrast to AAP’s report, livestock producers and meat packers and processors support Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance to discontinue the use of medically important antibiotics for livestock growth promotion and are actively implementing the guidance," Carpenter continued. "As long as livestock exist, some will get sick, and occasionally, individual animals and sometimes full herds will need to be given antibiotics to ensure their health and welfare. Veterinarians choose antibiotics carefully to ensure the best medical decision that assures animal health and minimizes the development of antibiotic resistance. But anytime an antibiotic is given to a food producing animal, strict withdrawal periods are followed to ensure that no residues remain in meat when animals are processed."
Federal data shows that antibiotic residues are not a concern in the U.S. meat supply.
"Meat and poultry are important parts of healthy, balanced diets and the nutrition they contain are critical in supporting healthy bodies and brains of growing children," Carpenter concluded. "We are proud that our products play such an important role in children’s diets.”
Source: Canadian Meat Business