STAT+: Advocacy groups petition FDA to withdraw approval of ‘unsafe’ use of antibiotics given to livestock

STAT PlusPharmalot Advocacy groups petition FDA to withdraw approval of ‘unsafe’ use of antibiotics given to livestock Organizations want agency to revoke indications for disease prevention and growth promotion Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanJune 17, 2026 Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman[email protected]Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. More than 60 organizations filed a petition urging the Food and Drug Administration to withdraw approval for what they called the “unsafe” use of antibiotics for preventing disease in food-producing livestock. In arguing their case, the groups noted 34 million pounds of antibiotics are used in livestock feed and water to treat diagnosed diseases. But this leads to the accumulation of bacteria resistant to antibiotics that are important for maintaining human health — and are blamed for about 35,000 deaths and over 2 million illnesses each year in the U.S.Advertisement “The FDA is obligated to ensure that drugs given to animals do not harm humans. Yet, despite overwhelming scientific evidence, the FDA has allowed this practice to continue,” said Peter Lehner, an attorney at Earthjustice Sustainable Food and Farming, one of the groups that filed the petition. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In antibiotics, biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, Policy, public health, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Ed Silverman Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Newsletter From the lab to the medicine chest, these are the must-read drug industry updates of the day Recommended Pharmalot June 17, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about hackers extorting Novo, an FDA about-face, and more Pharmalot June 16, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Medicare and obesity drugs, Germany’s pricing plans, and more Advertisement Pharmalot June 15, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA approves Colorado’s plan to import cheaper drugs from Canada Pharmalot June 15, 2026 STAT Plus: A key European clinical trial registry lacks complete and timely results, an analysis finds Pharmalot June 15, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Pfizer’s emergency penicillin program, a Sanofi diabetes drug, and more Subscriber Picks