Meat and meat products labelled ‘antibiotic-free’ usually contain no - or at least no detectable - residual antibiotics. Consumers may believe, often incorrectly, that labeled meat comes from animals that were raised without antibiotics.

In developed countries, all use of antibiotics in farm animals is strictly regulated. They enforce withdrawal periods (the time between the last dose of antibiotics and the time when the animals are slaughtered). Withdrawal periods are chosen to avoid antibiotic residues in meat and meat-related products.

In the USA, an ‘antibiotic-free’ claim is not allowed on the labels of meat and poultry products.[1] However, the ‘antibiotic-free’ claim is allowed on dairy product labels, such as milk cartons, which are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has no regulatory definition for the ‘antibiotic-free’ claim but expects it to mean no antibiotic residues in the product. The FDA does not verify the ‘antibiotic-free’ claim, nor does the agency require certified verification. The ‘antibiotic-free’ claim does not guarantee that the cows were never treated with antibiotics or other drugs. Please note that there is no global standard or regulatory definition for the ‘antibiotic-free’ claim.

Choosing animal products from animals raised without any antibiotics is proposed as an important step that consumers can take to help address the public health crisis of antibiotic resistance. Raising animals without antibiotics is possible if sanitation is improved, and management practices to prevent illness are implemented.

Check out this video about antibiotic-free:  

References

1 Greener Choices. (2017, November 16). What does Antibiotic Free mean? Retrieved from http://greenerchoices.org/2017/11/16/antibiotic-free-mean/