Perdue Foods says it has removed all antibiotics from its chicken hatcheries

A major poultry distributor is phasing out antibiotics. Perdue Foods announced on Wednesday that it has removed all antibiotics from its chicken hatcheries, a move that took five years to implement and that goes above and beyond voluntary guidelines by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, reports Agri-Pulse, a Washington newsletter. "The company completely phased out the use of antibiotics approved for use in humans as well as antibiotics used for growth promotion in chicken production."

The company said "it will continue to use antibiotics approved for animal use to combat an intestinal parasite as well as for the treatment and control of illness in sick chicken flocks," Agri-Pulse writes. Bruce Stewart-Brown, senior vice president of food safety, quality and live operations said in a statement: “It is not realistic or responsible to eliminate all antibiotics. No matter how carefully you raise animals, some are going to be exposed to infections that can only be treated with antibiotics. As veterinarians, we have a responsibility to properly treat those animals." (Read more)