Antibiotics Most Commonly Used in Animal Feed

Animal feed for farm animals have included antibiotics since the 1950s. According to the "Journal of Animal Science," the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration created a task force in 1970 to study the use of such antibiotics. The concern was hazards to humans and animals, and the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Criticism of and concerns about the use of antibiotics in animal feed continues today.

  1. Swine

    • Some antibiotics are available to use in feed for swine without a prescription from a veterinarian. These include virginiamycin, bacitracin, nitrovin and flavomycin.

    Calves

    • Calf feed may have flavomycin and nitrovin added without the need for a veterinary prescription.

    Poultry

    • Antibiotics that may be added to poultry feed include nifursol, sulfanitran, bacitracin, virginiamycin, nitrovin, flavomycin and sulfaquinoxaline. All of these may be obtained without a prescription.

    Other Antibiotics

    • Veterinarian prescriptions are required for all other antibacterial drugs used in animal feed.

    Overuse of Antibiotics

    • Just as overuse of antibiotics in humans can result in ineffective results, the antibiotics given to farm animals can cause drug-resistant bacteria. This bacteria can then be passed on to humans through touching or eating the contaminated meat.