Influencing The Feds
Lovera also said that the growing trend in restaurant chains banning meat treated with antibiotics from their stores may add momentum to the movement. Most recently, Subway announced it would phase antibiotics out of all of the chain’s meat by 2025.
“Five years ago, these companies were denying antibiotics were a problem. We’re having an entirely different conversation now,” she said.
But, she said that in an ideal situation, it shouldn’t be up to the consumer to decide if their meat has been dosed with antibiotics. It should be a given.
“It shouldn’t matter where you shop. We need to create across-the board standards,” Lovera said. “Which really is up to the government.”
So what are the chances California’s bill will nudge the FDA into action? Not so great, according to Price.
“The FDA will not change until the companies allow them to change,” he said. “There’s far too much pressure on the federal government from drug and animal companies not to do anything that will compromise their revenue.”
It’s a conundrum, he added, because the public relies heavily on the same powerful drug companies to create life-saving drugs.
“The same groups that are making antibiotics to protect us from diseases are relying on this market,” Price said. “It’s hard to ask them for a favor and slap them at the same time.”
Price’s biggest worry takes on a more ominous angle: A global outbreak. The U.S. isn’t the only country using antibiotics on its livestock — and it’s far more regulated than many. But without promising full protection through laws like California’s, it may be difficult for the U.S. to prove to other countries why it’s important.
“We cannot lead in other countries if we don’t have our own policy in place,” he said. “It’s hypocritical and it’s careless.”
Article Appeared @http://thinkprogress.org/health/2015/11/04/3719085/ca-antibiotics-ban-influence/