Advocacy groups urge FDA to revoke approval of antibiotics used for disease prevention in livestock

More than 60 organizations have filed a petition with the FDA asking the agency to withdraw its approval for the use of antibiotics in food‑producing animals for disease prevention and growth promotion.

The petition cites that about 34 million pounds of antibiotics are added to livestock feed and water each year, a practice they say contributes to the rise of antibiotic‑resistant bacteria that cause tens of thousands of deaths and millions of illnesses in the United States.

The groups argue that the FDA is required to ensure animal drugs do not pose a risk to human health, and they claim scientific evidence shows the current approvals fail that standard.

The request, filed by organizations including Earthjustice’s Sustainable Food and Farming program, seeks to have the agency revoke the specific indications that allow preventive and growth‑promoting uses of these drugs in animals.