US food safety authorities have issued stern warnings to two dairy farms for violating rules that govern the use of antibiotics in farmed animals. One cow that was being sent to a meat processor was found to contain a shocking 129 times the amount of penicillin allowed. A second cow from a different farm had
more than four times the permitted amount of antibiotic with further inspection revealing that 10 other medicines were being misused.

Recently, European health officials also warned that overuse of antibiotics, significant amounts of which are given to livestock animals, are threatening modern medicine by enabling microbes to develop “superbug” resistance that interferes with many life-saving surgical procedures.

The six most frequent superbug infections were cited as requiring the financial equivalent 2.5 million hospital days each year as they afflict approximately 400,000 people, with 25,000 who die annually in Europe alone.

US and European officials, we appreciate your vigilance in wishing to ensure public safety. Let us join worldwide in choosing foods free of animal products for the optimal vitality and well-being of all.

http://www.startribune.com/local
/70678072.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUsA
http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-43837720091110