CBS w/Katie Couric - Antibiotics in Animals

[EarlyBird]

Last night on CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, she had a segment on the
harm that Antibiotics fed to pigs, chickens, cows in their everyday feed are
leading to MRSA in people working on the farms where these animals are raised
and how the people have trouble being cured due to resistance to the same
antibiotics. She also spoke to farmers where no antibiotics are used and no
MRSA problems.
Tonight she has a second program/segment on the subject that should really
be worth watching too. That's CBS 6:30 EST Evening National News.
Very enlightening and informative. Please pass the word! This is something
your family and friends and you really need to see.
You may be able to view last night's program on http://www.CBS.com I haven't
checked it out but it would be worth a look-see.

[Matrix]

Watched it online, very interesting story, thanks for sharing.

[Arrowwind09]

Breif notes:

Healthy animals have been fed antibiotics for over 60 years to promote growth and prevent illness

At Pilgrims Pride 37 people got sick with MRSA and are in the process of personal injury claims. No comment from Pilgrims Pride

University of Iowa did a study of pig farms in Iowa and Illinois.
They found new strains of MRSA in 70% of the hogs tested on farms that use antibiotics and 64% of the workers.
Some family members who worked on the pig farms thought they brought it home to other family members who then got MRSA

They found no MRSA in farms that don't use antibiotics.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

My DH and neighbor butchered a goat the other day and we had some for dinner. Pretty good! No antibiotics or disease guaranteed. Time to search your area to pre-purchase meet on the hoof and make sure you are getting quality.

[EarlyBird]

They even interviewed turkey farmers too.
I think Katie mentioned that customers can look for meats that have a label saying
Antibiotic Free on the front. I just hope the public pays attention to what was
presented on the programs, refuse to buy Pilgrims Pride and any others that don't
carry the Antibiotic Free label.

[Arrowwind09]

But my understanding is that antibiotic free does not mean antibiotic free fully. It means that they have not been routinely fed antibiotics, but the antimal still may have had some if it were sick, so the label is deceiving.

It is very discouraging what they have done. All those poor industry workers that now carry MRSA will be spreading it to their children, their newborns, and to the community at large, as staph lives on the skin. We are just seeing the beginnings of the ramifications of this.

[M2Webb]

Originally Posted by Arrowwind09

But my understanding is that antibiotic free does not mean antibiotic free fully. It means that they have not been routinely fed antibiotics, but the antimal still may have had some if it were sick, so the label is deceiving.

It is very discouraging what they have done. All those poor industry workers that now carry MRSA will be spreading it to their children, their newborns, and to the community at large, as staph lives on the skin. We are just seeing the beginnings of the ramifications of this.

Arrowwind09 you are correct. Read the label. Applegate Farms as an example is a never ever company. No antibiotics, No growth hormones, No Preservatives, Ever.... There are some brands out there that have in small print, not antibiotics x amount of days before slaughter...

[EarlyBird]

Thank you, M2Webb for letting us know about Applegate Farms products.
If anyone learns of any other brands please post them on this forum.
And everyone, PLEASE pass the word to others not on our forum. The only
recourse the public has is to show with our Dollars, to convince grocery
stores and meat producers, farmers, etc. to sell/raise the Right foods.

[Arrowwind09]

I went to that applegate site. OVER $12 A POUND FOR NATURAL (not organic) Black Forest Ham.

Can't afford that. Sheesh! Once again good quality products only for the rich.