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Antibiotics are an essential part of modern medicine and have saved millions of lives. Besides treating human diseases, antibiotics are also used in animal husbandry. Many people have concerns about health risks when consuming meat. Let’s take a closer look at why this fear is unfounded.

Antibiotics in Animal Husbandry

Antibiotics are used in animal husbandry not only to treat diseases but also as a preventive measure to reduce the risk of outbreaks. In facilities with poor living conditions or overcrowding, animals can be more susceptible to infections and diseases. Therefore, the prophylactic administration of antibiotics aims to combat potential pathogens early and contain the spread of infections.

However, the routine use of antibiotics in animal husbandry carries the risk of developing bacterial strains that are resistant to these medications. This occurs when certain bacteria survive and multiply despite antibiotic treatment. These resistant bacteria can then cause infections in both animals and humans that are difficult to treat. When antibiotics lose their effectiveness, even simple infections can become life-threatening.

Resistant bacteria can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals or their excrement. This can particularly happen among individuals who work closely with animals, such as veterinarians, farmers, or slaughterhouse workers. Indirect transmissions can also occur through contact with the environment, for example, through the application of manure containing resistant bacteria on fields or in water bodies.

To address this issue, many countries, including Germany, have enacted laws and regulations governing the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry. In Germany, for instance, the prophylactic administration of antibiotics has been banned since 2014. Veterinarians are required to prescribe antibiotics only for therapeutic purposes and must adhere to strict guidelines. Furthermore, national strategies, such as the National Antibiotic Resistance Strategy (DART), have been developed to further reduce the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry and improve monitoring.

The results of monitoring programs indicate that efforts to reduce antibiotic use in animal husbandry have had positive effects. Between 2011 and 2016, the use of antibiotics decreased from 1,706 tons to 742 tons.

Safety of Meat Consumption

Fortunately, antibiotic residues in meat are not a concern. Heating meat to a sufficiently high temperature kills existing bacteria, including resistant ones. To ensure safe preparation, it is recommended to heat meat for at least two minutes to a core temperature of at least 70 degrees Celsius. Moreover, one would have to consume a significant 195 kilograms of meat to reach a daily dose of antibiotics. Concerns regarding the edibility of meat treated with antibiotics are therefore completely unfounded.

Closing Words

You can feel assured when consuming meat that may have been treated with antibiotics. It is to be hoped that laws and monitoring programs will be implemented even more effectively to further reduce the use of antibiotics and combat the development of antibiotic resistance.