USDA Updates Guidelines on Animal Raising Claims

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has updated guidelines to enhance the accuracy of animal-raising and environmental label claims on meat and poultry, particularly regarding antibiotic use. These guidelines mandate companies to provide documentation to support claims like 'raised without antibiotics' and recommend third-party certification for verification. Concurrently, research highlights that unregulated antibiotic use in animal research facilities contributes to the rise of drug-resistant superbugs, posing a significant threat to human health. A study found that 71% of surveyed laboratories in Australia and New Zealand routinely used antibiotics, often inappropriately, raising concerns about antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Experts warn that Southeast Asia, a major producer of food animals, faces critical AMR challenges that could affect global health, with an increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections. The World Health Organization has classified AMR as one of the top health challenges of the 21st century, with predictions of millions of premature deaths if the issue remains unaddressed.