The UK's FSA (Food Standards Agency) has acknowledged the need to reduce the use of antibiotics in farming, after a study discovered highly antibiotic-resistant E.coli bacteria in UK supermarket meats.
The study, commissioned by the 'Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics' and carried out by Cambridge University, examined 189 samples of pork and chicken. It found the highly resistant ESBL E. coli in chicken samples from all supermarket chains.
According to a 2014 report by VARRS (Veterinary Antibiotic Resistance and Sales Surveillance), antibiotics mixed into animal-feed and water account for around 89% of the total of antibiotics used in farming, in the UK.
Spokesperson for the Alliance to Save our Antibiotics, Emma Rose, said: "It's fantastic that the FSA has pledged to work with food businesses and retailers, to reduce farm use of antibiotics. With antibiotic-resistance predicted to kill one person every 3 seconds by 2050, the FSA must commit to ending the routine mass medication of animals."
The Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics counts 58 supporting members, from sectors including health, agriculture, animal welfare and environment.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Martha Sparrius. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
