How many antibiotics are you and your family taking?

Since the creation of penicillin in 1931, human beings are more than confident that we and our families are protected against any possible bacteria-borne disease. Although this is largely true, there has been a growing concern in regards to the amount of antibiotics that are being fed to farm animals such as chicken, pigs and cows. Antibiotics are fed to these animals to stimulate growth and to prevent them from becoming sick¹. There is no control over the amount of antibiotics that are allowed to be fed to farm animals in Canada, and, as a consequence of this, by the time a store-bought chicken reaches our

plates at home, we may not only be consuming the essential nutrients and proteins from the chicken, but we may also be ingesting antibiotic resistant bacteria, called “superbugs”.

What is the problem with this?” you may wonder. Well, these superbugs are resistant to many conventional types of antibiotics. So, when we come into contact with one of these superbugs through our food, not only does this bacteria have the potential to make us sick, but the doctor may not have any antibiotic available to fight the resulting illness because this bacteria is resistant to it. The doctor would have to find other ways that may not be readily available or as effective. Europe has passed legislation banning the use of antibiotics in farm animals in order to protect everybody from superbugs². Canada is now looking toward alternatives into solving this issue, and the federal government is currently funding a team of 16 researchers to find alternative ways to keep farm animals healthy without having to give them large amounts of antibiotics. The research will finalize by 2013³, and hopefully we would have viable alternatives by then.

Meanwhile here are some tips—provided by the Food Insight Blog—that you can follow so you can do as much as possible to protect you, your children, and your family’s health:

1 Don’t wash your chicken before cooking it. As this just sprays possible bacteria all over the counters and surfaces

2 Make sure your food is well cooked before consumption, use a thermometer if necessary. If you have questions on the right temperatures of the food that you are preparing, you can visit the Canadian food and safety guidelines (provide link here)

3 Try to buy organic farm food, as it has noticeably reduced amounts of resistant bacteria in it.

4 Follow all the cleaning standards in the kitchen. Clean your hands thoroughly and more than once to decrease the chances of becoming in contact with bacteria

5 Do not take antibiotics for viral infections such as the flu. They are not efficient in fighting viral infections, Take antibiotics only when necessary (for bacterial-borne-illnesses) and when directed by your doctor

6 Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night. Exercise and have a balanced and nutritional diet so your immune system can be stronger than ever!

For more tips visit: http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/ blog/2011/02/concerned-about-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-on-chicken.html

If you want to know more, watch the full episode of Marketplace: "superbugs in the Supermarket" : http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2011/superbugsinthesupermarket/

References:

1. Veterinary Drugs Directorate. (2002). Report of the Advisory committee on Animal Uses of Antimicrobials and Impact on Resistant and Human Health. Health Canada. Retrieved from: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/alt_formats/hpfb-dgpsa/pdf/pubs/amr-ram_final_report-rapport_06-27-eng.pdf

2. Jhonson, E. (2011). Alternatives to antibiotics for Farm animals sought. CBC News Canada. Retrieved from : http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/09/23/antibiotic-usee-in-animals.html

3. Flood. T. (2010). Can Antibiotics Given to farm animals Really makes Us Sick? Food Insight Blog. Retrieved from: http://www.foodinsight.org/Blog/tabid/60/EntryId/242/Can-Antibiotics-Given-to-Farm-Animals-Really-Make-Us-Sick.aspx

Video: Courtesy of CBC News Canada. Market Place. February 11, 2011