Antibiotics are used in farm animal feed and farm animals are raised for human consumption. The antibiotics may help decrease the spread of disease among the animals but there is also a greed aspect to the practice. Antibiotics also make farm animals grow faster and fatter for more lean muscle mass meaning more meat on their bones.
Another drug is also fed to a large percentage of farm animals raised for human consumption and it is called ractopamine. It also promotes fast and fatter growth.
You can choose meat products that were raised without drugs if the label says “certified organic.” Whole Foods and Chipotle Mexican Grill do not sell meat from animals that have been fed antibiotics and ractopamine.
Other meat package labels to look for are “no antibiotics used”. Also look for labels that state “animal welfare approved” or “certified humane” which indicates the prudent use of antibiotics in animal feed.
SUPPLEMENTAL SOURCE: CONSUMER REPORTS MAGAZINE JANUARY 2013