The Government Doesn't Regulate Use Of Antibiotics In American Farm Animals

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Although antibiotic use in humans is closely monitored by our nation's health care system, there is no equivalent monitoring for animals as detailed in an article in the September issue of Food Nutrition & Science (FNS).

The article features a debate between Dr. Randall Singer, associate professor of Epidemiology at The University of Minnesota, and Dr. Meghan F. Davis, postdoctoral fellow with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Earlier this year, a federal judge ordered the FDA to reconsider two petitions seeking restrictions on the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture. The order comes amidst longstanding concerns about usage trends for antibiotics in animal agriculture and how those trends relate to antimicrobial resistance in both animals and humans.

"This debate is crucial not only to the safety of our food supply, but to the better understanding of how it affects human health," says Phil Lempert, founder of Food Nutrition & Science and CEO of The Lempert Report and SupermarketGuru.com. "Regardless, we need a better system to monitor our food chain to ensure safety for both animals and humans."

Also in this month's issue, results from a recent study from The University of Minnesota that suggest access to fruits and vegetables during adolescence and emerging adulthood influence consumption in young adulthood (19 to 30 years old).

In addition, FNS celebrates World Pasta Day taking place on October 25, 2012. This annual event, now in its 17^th year, was created to commemorate the delicious, nutritious and versatile role pasta plays in a healthy lifestyle.

According to Lempert, "This is the perfect time for retailers to educate their customers about this delicious staple, providing recipe ideas, product samples/tastes, suggesting new pasta 'pairings' and more."

About Food Nutrition & Science

With more than 26,000 readers, Food Nutrition & Science is the only monthly newsletter created for all food industry players to communicate about the safest, most efficient and healthiest ways to get food to our plates. For more information or to subscribe, please visit www.FoodNutritionScience.com.

SOURCE Food Nutrition & Science