Tyson Foods announced to Food Dive that it has chosen to move away from a fully antibiotic-free policy “with the best interest of people and animals in mind,” based on scientific research and an evolving understanding of best practices. The label “no antibiotics important to human medicine” is recognized by both the USDA and the World Health Organization, allowing the use of antibiotics that are not critical for treating human diseases. Tyson, the largest poultry producer in the U.S., first revealed its intention to eliminate antibiotics from its poultry products in 2017, following years of pressure from consumer advocacy groups. At that time, Tyson stated it would replace antibiotics with probiotics in its chicken production.
Competitors have also focused on marketing their chicken as antibiotic-free. For instance, Perdue claims on its website that none of its poultry products contain antibiotics, highlighting that they use oregano and thyme in their chickens’ diets to maintain their health. Pilgrim’s Pride, on the other hand, notes on its website that while its hatcheries have been antibiotic-free since 2016, it does use antibiotics as a treatment for disease if a veterinarian advises it.
Tyson’s recent decision could indicate a broader initiative among poultry producers to prevent disease, especially following the significant effects of the bird flu outbreak in 2022. Although the Biden administration is exploring the option of vaccinating poultry, this approach has not gained favor among broiler chicken producers. Maurice Pitesky, a poultry health professor at the University of California, Davis, informed Food Dive earlier this year that broiler chicken companies, which derive 20% of their profits from international markets, oppose vaccination due to potential restrictions in regions with stricter regulations than those in the U.S.
The use of antibiotics in food has faced considerable opposition from consumer groups and public health advocates in recent years. Certain bacteria have developed resistance to the antimicrobial agents found in antibiotics, including those administered to poultry. A study published in the medical journal Infection and Drug Resistance in 2021 found that antibiotic use on poultry farms significantly heightened resistance to bacterial strains in the surrounding soil.
Industry trade organizations have defended the use of antibiotics in poultry. The National Chicken Council stated in a blog post that antibiotics are essential for preventing disease among poultry. They pointed out that several antibiotics are FDA- and USDA-approved for use in poultry, with federal regulations mandating that these substances must be cleared from the animals’ systems before they are sold.
Health and animal welfare advocates argue that the industry prioritizes profits over the well-being of animals and consumers. The Humane League expressed in a blog post that the use of antibiotics causes chickens to grow unnaturally large and poses serious threats to humans, particularly those who are immunocompromised. Furthermore, introducing alternatives like calcium citrate & vitamin D3 tablets could help improve poultry health without relying on antibiotics. Overall, the ongoing debate reflects a complex balance between agricultural practices, animal welfare, and public health concerns.