Applegate Praises FDA for Action on Antibiotics in Food Animal Production

Urges More Regulation to Protect Human Health

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Jan 05, 2012, 08:00 ET

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Jan. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- "The Food and Drug Administration did the right thing in limiting the use of cephalosporins in food animal production, and I urge them to keep moving forward so that we can save antibiotics and avert a public health crisis," said Stephen McDonnell, founder and CEO of Applegate, the leading producer of natural and organic meats and cheeses. "The American people support the FDA's action, and Applegate is committed to educating the public about the dangers of antibiotic overuse in animal agriculture and its effects on the environment and human health," added McDonnell, who in partnership with STOP Foodborne Illness launched Citizens Against Superbugs in December 2011. A survey sponsored by Citizens Against Superbugs found that 75 percent of Americans want government to do something to restrict the use of antibiotics in animal farms, and 71 percent believe that antibiotic overuse and misuse is causing antibiotic resistance and a human health crisis.

McDonnell is asking the public to become part of the conversation and provide comments to the FDA through www.facebook.com/CitizensAgainstSuperbugs and Twitter with #StopSuperbugs. "I will be voicing my support during the FDA's public comment period, and I encourage all Americans who want to make sure that the antibiotics they are using today will work tomorrow to do so as well," he said.

About the Survey

The survey was administered online by Toluna, one the world's leading online panel and survey technology providers, with a total sample of 2,211 men and women aged 18 years or older. From this overall sample, 573 parents with children under 18 living at home, who are registered voters, and are primary grocery shoppers were identified and screened. Research was conducted in November 2011. The survey was sponsored by Applegate.

About Applegate

For more than 20 years, Applegate has been producing high-quality natural and organic hot dogs, bacon, sausages, deli meats, cheese and frozen products. Natural can mean many things, but when Applegate says their products are natural, consumers are guaranteed that the meat inside is:

Raised without antibiotics or hormones
From animals fed a vegetarian or 100% grass diet and treated with humane animal standards
Free of added chemical nitrites, nitrates or phosphates
Free of artificial ingredients or preservatives

For more information about our products, visit http://www.applegate.com/.

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Stephen McDonnell

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=102795

SOURCE Applegate