Officials believe that the use of these drugs, known as cephalosporins, in livestock has contributed to the increase of bacteria that can resist treatment. These resistant superbugs that have evolved to survive antibiotic regimens can cause serious, even deadly infections in humans.
Cephalosporins, such as the brands Cefzil and Keflex, are often added to animal feed or injected into fertilised eggs in order to prevent disease and encourage growth in livestock. However, these antibiotics are also among the most common ones prescribed before surgery or to treat strep throat, bronchitis, skin infections, and urinary tract infections, according to the New York Times.
Therefore, the FDA is concerned that their frequent use in livestock will have harmful consequences on their ability to control infections in humans. For those in the agricultural sector, however, this new regulation may prove burdensome.
Source: EMSL Analytical
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