Production Technology
| Q: |
How are animal antibiotics used by beef producers? Are they used preventatively? |
| Q: |
Does using antibiotics in beef production have an effect on human health? |
| Q: |
What are growth promoting hormones and why are they used? |
| Q: |
Do the growth promotants leave any hormones in the beef? |
|
|
| Q: |
How are animal antibiotics used by beef producers? Are they used preventatively?
Antibiotics, administered through either injections or in feed, are used to treat and control the spread of illnesses such as pneumonia, bacterial infections and diseases of the intestinal tract. Beef producers work in conjunction with veterinarians, following the Producer Guidelines for Judicious Use of Antimicrobials, which outline the appropriate uses for antibiotics. Just like any medication, a recommended dosage is part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process for antibiotics. It is important to treat sick animals because healthy animals lead to safe and wholesome food.
When working quickly to treat sick cattle, producers consult veterinarians to administer the correct type and amount of medication. Using antibiotics as a widespread preventative measure is not only bad veterinary practice, it is simply too expensive.
Top |
| |
|
| Q: |
Does using antibiotics in beef production have an effect on human health?
A recent peer reviewed study in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy found little evidence that antibiotic use in animals poses a risk to human health. Additionally, federal law mandates that no meat sold in the United States may contain antibiotic residues that violate the FDA’s scientifically established standards. Antibiotics used in beef cattle must go through a rigorous scientific testing process before receiving approval from the FDA. This process assures animals remain healthy and the food supply remains safe.
Top |
| |
|
| Q: |
What are growth promoting hormones and why are they used?
Growth promoting hormones (also called growth promotants) are typically small pellets about the size of a pencil eraser which are implanted under the skin on the back of an animal’s ear. The pellets release tiny amounts of hormones, which safely dissolve as treatment is completed. Growth promotants are approved by the FDA. For more than 50 years, they have helped cattle producers safely meet the increasing consumer demand for lean beef. Typically, cattle raised with growth promotants can have up to 18 percent more lean muscle than other cattle, with an equal decrease in fat.
Top |
| |
|
| Q: |
Do the growth promotants leave any hormones in the beef?
There is very little difference in the amounts of estrogen found in beef from cattle raised with or without growth promoting hormones. The amount of estrogen in each is miniscule – 1.9 versus 1.3 nanograms per serving. The human body naturally produces far more estrogen than is found in commonly eaten foods, including beef. For instance, an adult woman produces about 253,000 times more estrogen every day than is found in a 3-ounce serving of beef. The FDA regularly tests for, and has never found, residues in meat that would indicate misuse of growth promoting products.
Top | More informationFACT SHEET: Antibiotic Use in Cattle Production FACT SHEET: Growth Promotant Use in Cattle Production Animal Health InstituteGrowth Enhancement Technology Information Team
|
|