001231 Meat Companies 'Just Say No' to Antibiotics

Boulder, CO - In light of recent news that the Food and Drug Administration plans to ban the use of two antibiotics, Baytril and SaraFlox (both classified as flouroquinolones) used by livestock and poultry farmers -- thus confirming that antibiotics used in animal feed are creating drug-resistant germs that wind up in the food people eat -- three companies, while applauding this proposed ban, are committed to raising livestock without any antibiotics.

Horizon Organic Dairy, Longmont, Colo.; Applegate Farms, Branchburg, N.J., and du Breton Natural Pork, Quebec, Canada, differ from the conventional “herd” of dairy, meat and poultry companies in that they have “just said no” to the antibiotic habit. Instead, these companies have developed preventative methods of caring for livestock. Combined, the companies represent the leading organic dairy products and natural deli meats in the United States, and the leading natural pork products in Canada and Japan. Together, with more than 24 years in business, they prove that antibiotics are not necessary ingredients in dairy, meat or poultry production.

The FDA's report supports the evidence of several major health organizations arguing for caution in the use of antibiotics, both in livestock feed and in human medicine. Consider:

-- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers antibiotic resistance the most important public health issue in the United States today, as an increasing number of therapies have become less effective in treating bacterial infections.(1)

-- The World Health Organization warned in a June report that increasingly drug-resistant infections in rich and developing nations alike are threatening to make once-treatable diseases incurable. WHO states that animals add to the problem, with half the world's antibiotics being used on the farm, mostly to help animals grow faster, which encourages drug-resistant germs that cause food poisoning.(2)

-- Members of the European Union's Scientific Steering Committee stated in May 1999 that the use of antibiotics to prevent disease -- as opposed to curing it -- constitutes misuse and should be banned altogether.(3)

-- In April, the New England Journal of Medicine produced a study linking antibiotic-treated cattle to a young boy's salmonella infection, which was resistant to 13 drugs, including ceftriaxone, a powerful antibiotic used to treat life-threatening infections in children.

Horizon Organic, Applegate Farms and du Breton have shown that stringent farming practices and management negate the need for antibiotic use in animal feed. Conventional ranchers and farmers traditionally use antibiotics as growth promoters and subtherapeutic immune boosters. This practice allows some conventional livestock producers to use less expensive feed in smaller portions, thus passing on savings to the consumer.

By contrast, a preventative and more natural approach to animal husbandry -- more space per animal, more access to fresh air and sunlight, and use of alternative remedies such as homeopathics -- all reduce stress on an animal, which lowers the incidence of sickness. However, these methods are much more expensive for the farmer. A Horizon dairy cow costs 40 to 50% more to rear than its conventional counterpart, while Applegate and du Breton meats cost $10 to $15 more per animal to produce. A high level of consumer interest in antibiotic- free livestock proves the investment in humane animal practices worthwhile.

However, even the best preventative medicine cannot guarantee 100% health all of the time. Veterinarians at these companies' farms and ranches will quarantine a sick animal and care for it with fluids, aspirin and rest. An animal needing more intensive medical attention will be removed from the herd, and, if treated with antibiotics, will not return to the farm.

(1) Business Wire, June 1, 2000. (2) Associated Press, June 13, 2000. (3) Wall Street Journal, July 28, 1999.

Despite the higher up-front cost of this more humane, more natural care, Horizon Organic, du Breton and Applegate Farms have proven that raising antibiotic-free livestock can be profitable in the long term. Du Breton is the largest natural pork producer in North America and Japan. Applegate Farms is the largest U.S. producer of natural deli meats, which form a significant percentage of all natural foods sales. Horizon Organic is the country's leading provider of organic dairy and juice products, with a 70% share of all organic milk sold in supermarkets. These companies believe that, in staying true to their current standards, they will positively influence the farming industry as a whole and set an example of sustainable, profitable business that ultimately contributes to the health of their consumers.

Applegate Farms has provided healthy deli meats to natural products stores since 1987. The company produces more than 50 natural deli products -- from turkey meat to salami -- all made from antibiotic-free meats and poultry. The company never uses artificial ingredients or chemical preservatives in processing.

Du Breton is the largest natural pork purveyors in Canada and is building a reputation for its environmental innovations, including lagoon-free hog farming and a commitment to including 10% organic grain in its feed for all of its livestock. Du Breton's cuts of meat are imported by countries worldwide, and exports continue to grow. In the United States, du Breton is distributed through Applegate Farms in New Jersey.

Horizon Organic produces and markets the leading brand of certified organic milk in North America. The company manufactures a full line of refrigerated, certified organic dairy products, including certified organic eggs and juices under the Horizon Organic(TM) label. It also is the largest producer and supplier of private label organic milk to the leading supermarket chains in the U.K.

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