Four times more antibiotics sold for US meat and poultry production than to treat human illness

Based on a new FDA report, the Pew Charitable Trust Health Initiative finds that in 2011, four times the amount of antibiotics were sold for meat and poultry production as for treating human illnesses.  Agribusinesses feed their animals antibiotics to make them grow faster and to compensate for overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.  These practices contribute to the emergence of drug-resistant superbugs that make human infections more difficult and costly to treat.  In 2011, more antibiotics were sold for use in meat and poultry production than ever before.