Americans are under threat from antibiotic-resistant superbugs, making us vulnerable to common, once treatable infections. A remarkable 80 percent of antibiotics sold in the U.S. are used not by humans, but by the meat and poultry industries so factory farm animals can grow faster and survive crowded and unsanitary conditions.
This is creating superbugs on the farm and humans are exposed in a number of ways, including when we handle or eat undercooked meat. Our life-saving drugs are becoming less effective when we really need them. Unfortunately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has refused to take meaningful action to restrict the use of unnecessary antibiotics in livestock production.
This is creating superbugs on the farm and humans are exposed in a number of ways, including when we handle or eat undercooked meat. Our life-saving drugs are becoming less effective when we really need them. Unfortunately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has refused to take meaningful action to restrict the use of unnecessary antibiotics in livestock production.The information in the video below is a big part of (certainly not the only reason) why we don't buy conventional meat. It's also the reason I do NOT use those nasty hand sanitizers that you see everywhere you go. Instead I use a couple of things you may have heard of: soap and water. I'm pretty ‘out there', huh?
Here's where we buy safe meat if you don't have a good local source.
Have you seen this related post: Are meat eaters ruining the earth?
Watch the video:
Cathy F. says
Last year my husband and I decided to bypass grocery store meat and buy a half beef from a local farmer. We’ll be doing the same for as long as we can find it. Occasionally we supplement with other meat products from our local health-food store. But even when I shop there, I look for fish that’s labeled “wild-caught” and chicken labeled either free-range or “Amish” (for some reason, I’m hoping that means something). Frankly, between the corrupted meat and the GMO or otherwise poisoned produce, I’m afraid of the main-stream food industry. I shop 100% organic and read every label. We DO still eat out about once a week, and unfortunately there are barely any restaurants in our area that use healthy unpolluted ingredients…so we’re still getting corrupted food once in a while.
The problem is, most people don’t believe there’s a problem, because there are no immediate effects from eating this stuff…it’s a slow process. And when health problems finally do arise, it’s impossible to link them to food consumption choices.
KitchenKop says
Yes, usually they’ll say things like, “Something’s gonna kill you eventually anyway…” And they have no idea that Real Food can help your quality of life, too.
Jeanmarie says
Excellent presentation. I first became aware of the dangers of antibiotic overuse about 30 years ago and I’ve never understood why people don’t grasp this. People I know at work are so germ-phobic, it’s ridiculous. Soap and water, indeed!
J in VA says
Kelly,
While you certainly may use soap and water, most hand sanitizers are 65% alcohol (or more)–they do not cause super bugs. However, antibacterial products can. I imagine you are not using that sort of soap but be aware.
Personally, I like hand sanitizers better than soap because it has gotten very hard to find non-antibacterial soap expecially when you are away from home.
Hayley says
Make sure to read the labels though – many sanitizers have triclosan in them. Especially the ones from Bath and Body Works.
Emily says
What a world that would be, when no one ate meat with antibiotics, high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, GMO soy or corn…sounds pretty close to heaven! (And it might be, b/c we’d all be in better moods and therefore there would probably a lot less crime, etc.)
Stanley Fishman says
Grassfed, antibiotic free meats are so much better in every way. If we all refused to eat any food raised with antibiotics, this harmful practice would stop.
But I consider it risky to rely on a profit driven, one size fits all medical system to protect our health. I prefer to build up my immune system and the other natural functions of my body, through eating real food and grassfed meat, and avoiding toxins. So far, it has worked fine. How many times have I seen doctors in the last six years? Zero. Never. A well nourished body, which functions properly, has no need of them.