USA
Guidance on the Judicious Use of Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs in Food-Producing Animals
Summary Description
Provides recommendations by the FDA for the judicious use of medically important antimicrobial drugs used in food-producing animals
Topics
Species
Farmed animals
Jurisdiction
USA
Sub-Jurisdiction
N/A
Type of Act
Policy
Status
In force
Legal Value
Voluntary
Date Enacted
2012
Date Updated
June, 2023
Official Citation
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Guidance for Industry #209,
April 2013 (U.S.A.)
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Recommends phasing out the use of medically important antimicrobial drugs for production purposes such as "increased rate of weight gain" or "improved feed efficiency."
- Recommends that new animal drugs containing medically important antimicrobials in the feed or water of food-producing animals should be subjected to the approval of a licensed veterinarian.
Weaknesses
- These recommendations are not binding and as such, have never been codified into law. As a result, the regulations pertaining to antimicrobials use in the US have never been updated to reflect this guidance document.
- The recommendations do not include detailed recommendations under the form of list of antimicrobials which use should be limited, or measurable reduction targets in antimicrobials use.
- The recommendations only apply to the following class of antimicrobials: aminoglycosides, lincosamides, macrolides, penicillins, streptogramins, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines.
- The document considers the use of antimicrobials for the control and prevention of specific diseases to be necessary for assuring the health of food-producing animals.
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