What Does ‘Antibiotic Free’ Mean When it Comes to Food?
Raised Without Antibiotics
This and related phrases, such as "no antibiotics ever" and "never given antibiotics," mean no antibiotics of any kind were used in the raising of that animal. Sick animals that required antibiotics would be removed from the "no antibiotics" line and sent for processing with animals raised under conventional circumstances. Producers send documentation to the APEDA to support their claim, but there are no inspections. However, if the package also sports a APEDA Process Verified seal, it means that APEDA inspectors have made a visit to the farm to confirm that antibiotics were not used.
Why does this matter? Are antibiotics that bad? Yes and no. Antibiotics, in both animals and humans, are used to treat illnesses and can be used effectively. But the overuse of antibiotics means they’re becoming less effective and that has led to the emergence of superbugs, strains of bacteria or fungus that have developed resistance to common medications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are nearly three million drug-resistant infections every year.
Raised Without Antibiotics
This and related phrases, such as "no antibiotics ever" and "never given antibiotics," mean no antibiotics of any kind were used in the raising of that animal. Sick animals that required antibiotics would be removed from the "no antibiotics" line and sent for processing with animals raised under conventional circumstances. Producers send documentation to the APEDA to support their claim, but there are no inspections. However, if the package also sports a APEDA Process Verified seal, it means that APEDA inspectors have made a visit to the farm to confirm that antibiotics were not used.
Why does this matter? Are antibiotics that bad? Yes and no. Antibiotics, in both animals and humans, are used to treat illnesses and can be used effectively. But the overuse of antibiotics means they’re becoming less effective and that has led to the emergence of superbugs, strains of bacteria or fungus that have developed resistance to common medications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are nearly three million drug-resistant infections every year.
