Why Antibiotics in Animal Farming Are a Ticking Time Bomb
The fear of the COVID-19 pandemic is still fresh in our minds. Everybody would agree that we want to do the best we can to prevent the next pandemic. One major source of the next pandemic is industrial animal farming, where antibiotics are overused. They use antibiotics to prevent disease, treat infections, and promote faster growth. In the 2010s, around 70% of antibiotics used globally were given to farm animals, and there is no evidence that usage has declined.
Antibiotics fight bacteria by killing them or stopping their growth, helping the body heal. However, overuse leads to resistance, allowing bacteria to survive treatments, spread easily, and leave fewer effective options for fighting infections. Resistant strains from livestock can transfer to humans, making illnesses harder to treat and posing a major health risk.
In fact, drug-resistant bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter have caused major outbreaks. For instance, multiple antibiotic-resistant strains of Salmonella Heidelberg triggered large U.S. outbreaks in the 2010s, infecting thousands through contaminated chicken products.
This is another reason why alternative proteins, whether plant-based, fermentation-derived, or cultivated, are a better option. They make it easier to maintain a sterile environment, reducing the risk of bacterial contamination and antibiotic resistance.