Veterinarians only prescribe antibiotics to sick animals according to FDA guidelines. Livestock must go through a withdrawal period after antibiotics to ensure the drugs leave their system before processing. Antibiotics can kill many bacteria but sometimes resistant bacteria survive and spread to meat, exposing people through undercooked food or contact with animal waste. Proper food handling is important for avoiding illness from antibiotic-resistant or other bacteria.

1. ANIMAL ANTIBIOTICS AND
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
How animal treatment supports a
reliable and safe food supply
U.S. FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION (FDA)
REGULATIONS
Antibiotics are only prescribed by veterinarians to animals
when they are sick. Veterinarians and farmers follow FDA
guidelines to administer these medications.
WITHDRAWL PERIODS
To ensure we do not consume meat or animal products that
contain antibiotics, livestock and poultry must go through a
withdrawal period after receiving antibiotics. The antibiotics
must leave the animals' system before it goes to processing
to produce any food products.
ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT
BACTERIA
Antibiotics given to animals will kill many bacteria, but
sometimes resistant bacteria can survive and multiply. When
animals are processed for food, these bacteria can
contaminate the meat, other animal products or the
environment.
CAN ANTIBIOTIC-
RESISTANT BACTERIA
MAKE ME SICK?
People can be exposed to antibiotic-resistant bacteria from
animals by handling/eating raw or under-cooked food.
Contact with animal stool or caring for animals are other
routes of exposure.
FOOD SAFETY ALL THE
WAY
Safe food handling of meat, poultry and produce is a key
step in avoiding contact with bacteria. Antibiotic-resistant or
not, both can cause foodborne illness.
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