FDA pushes plan to cut use of antibiotics in animals

April 13, 2012 (WLS) -- The Food and Drug Administration is giving the food industry three years to stop using antibiotics to make animals grow faster.

Use of antibiotics is so widespread, 80 percent of antibiotics go to animals, according to the FDA.

The practice is creating new strains of drug-resistant superbugs that threaten human health.

Friday, the FDA made its June 2011 "guidance" asking the food industry to voluntarily stop feeding antibiotics to animals to make them grow faster.

The National Pork Producers Council has said it opposes the plan.

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healthbeat, sylvia perez

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