| Description |
1 online resource (iii, 76 pages) : color illustrations |
| System Details |
Mode of access: World Wide Web. |
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System requirements: Adobe Reader. |
| Note |
Title from cover screen (viewed on Sept. 18, 2011). |
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"September 2011." |
| Summary |
Antibiotics have saved millions of lives, but antibiotic use in food animals contributes to the emergence of resistant bacteria that may affect humans. The Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) are primarily responsible for ensuring food safety. GAO reviewed the issue in 2004 and recommended improved data collection and risk assessment. GAO was asked to examine the (1) extent to which agencies have collected data on antibiotic use and resistance in animals, (2) actions HHS's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took to mitigate the risk of antibiotic resistance in humans as a result of use in animals, (3) extent to which agencies have researched alternatives to current use practices and educated producers and veterinarians about appropriate use, and (4) actions the European Union (EU) and an EU member country, Denmark, have taken to regulate use in animals and lessons that have been learned. GAO analyzed documents, interviewed officials from national organizations, and visited producers in five states and Denmark. GAO recommends that HHS and USDA (1) identify and evaluate approaches to collecting detailed data on antibiotic use in animals and use these data to evaluate FDA's voluntary strategy, (2) collect more representative data on resistance, and (3) assess previous efforts on alternatives to identify where more research is needed. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references. |
| Note |
"GAO-11-801." |
| Subject |
United States. Department of Agriculture -- Rules and practice -- Evaluation.
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United States. Department of Health and Human Services -- Rules and practice -- Evaluation.
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Health risk assessment.
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Antibiotics in animal nutrition -- Health aspects.
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Antibiotics in agriculture -- Health aspects.
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Drug resistance in microorganisms.
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Food -- Safety measures.
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| Added Author |
Shames, Lisa.
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United States. Congress. House. Committee on Rules.
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| Added Title |
Agencies have made limited progress addressing antibiotic use in animals |
| Gpo Item No. |
0546-D (online) |
| Sudoc No. |
GA 1.13:GAO-11-801 |
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