Essay Sample on the Use of Antibiotics in Food and Its Effects

Introduction

The present-day population faces many health problems due to the kind of food that people consume. The rapid development of technology in the agricultural sector has impacted the food production processes. The research activities, fueled by high consumer demand, have resulted in techniques that significantly reduce the time of production. One of the technologies is the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals. Agricultural activities such as poultry farming have benefited from science (Roberts n.p). Using medicines to fasten growth in chicken has enabled the fast food industry to meet the ever increasing demand for low budget meals. Researchers report that regular consumption of junk food poses a threat to human health. This paper discusses the use of antibiotics in food production and its effects.

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The food processing industry relies on farmers for raw materials required to produce the high volumes of product needed to meet the consumer market. Maintaining a constant supply is necessary to keep firms and businesses in operation. For many decades, animal agriculture has relied on the use of antibiotics to treat ill animals. Some animals, such as cows and chicken require constant medical attention in their early stages of growth. Thus, they receive treatment against bacterial infections. The purpose of administering the drugs to farm animals is to curb the growth and spread of harmful bacteria (Roberts n.p). Containing the spreading of disease among farm animals is crucial to avoid incurring losses due to deaths. The farmers ensure profitability by treating their animals using antibiotics. Thus, the drugs are critical to curing diseases and facilitating production.

Besides combating disease, the use of antibiotics enhances the growth and development process in animals. The rapid population increase across the globe resulted in a significant rise in the demand for food. Thus, the agriculture sector had to design inventive approaches to meet the needs of the populace. Besides, stakeholders in the food industry sought to capitalize on the highly lucrative opportunity. Thus, studies in the agricultural sector intensified. Research on the growth process of animals indicated that animals, such as chicken easily convert feeds into muscle. Therefore, when they are in excellent health conditions, their growth period reduces by several days. Based on the findings, farmers use small doses of antibiotics as growth-promoters (Roberts n.p). Animals that consume feeds with low drug dosages mature quickly compared to natural-fed ones. Thus, farmers can frequently supply mass volumes to food processors.

Over the years, consumers have become enlightened about the nature of the foods they purchase. The people are gradually gaining insight on the necessity of minimizing consumption of food products obtained from animals raised with antibiotics (Schouten n.p). Allegations of the overuse of antibiotics in food-producing animals have impacted food production and sales. More clients are shifting to organic products that are antibiotic-free. The knowledge of the presence of drugs in consumer products has influenced sales volumes. Advocacy activities against antibiotics in animal-based foods have created a food-conscious market. Thus, a company such as McDonald's has come under scrutiny. In response to anti-antibiotics sentiments, firms have had to commit to changing their production methods. Adopting responsible and healthier sourcing practices is necessary to avoid tarnishing company reputations and losing loyal clients.

Unregulated use of antibiotics for treatment or as growth-enhancers poses a health risk to the human population. In most cases, animals receive drugs during the initial phases of growth. For instance, farmers should use the medicine in chicken feed except for the last fifth of their lives. The excessive use of the medication in animal feed results in the development of resistance to drugs (Schouten n.p). Some of the strains of bacteria exposed to medicine have developed resistance. An increase in resistant bacteria is a problem to the animal and human population. When microbial resistance occurs, it eliminates the ability of drugs to fight or contain the infection. Thus, the inability of the medicine to control harmful bacterial growth allows microbes to multiply despite the presence and action of antibiotics.

Resistant bacteria present in food products is a health concern for consumers. Animal-based foodstuffs contain percentages of bacteria that can lead to diseases among people. Medication targets microbes such as Salmonella and Campylobacter (Roberts n.p). Resistant strains of these germs that survive are available in meat. Chicken, beef, and pork meat of animals raised with antibiotics is likely to contain some percentages of resistant bacteria. Thus, the relatively high amounts of resistant bacteria in non-organic products cause diseases to consumers. Once infected, the therapeutic levels of antibiotics are not sufficient to effectively control the infection. Hence, the resilient microbes require strong dosages. Due to the effect of preventative antibiotics found in animal-based foodstuffs, the human population is at risk of contracting robust strains that are difficult to treat.

There is a possibility of contamination of carcasses and foodstuff due to the use of antibiotics to treat animals and enhance growth(Roberts n.p). It is essential to exercise caution and uphold high hygiene standards when handling food. The processing of consumer goods requires careful handling of remains and unwanted parts. Failure to maintain proper sanitation leads to infection of products. Animals with excess levels of medicine in the system can infect another foodstuff. Consumption of contaminated food makes people sick and leads to issues such as vomiting and diarrhea. In severe cases, prolonged display of these signs may necessitate urgent medication. Thus, preparation of antibiotics-raised meat requires top standard hygiene practices. Besides, customers ought to cook correctly. For example, subjecting meat to high temperatures when cooking kills bacteria.

Apart from the adverse effects overuse of antibiotics on human health, the practice impacts the performance of firms. The public has become aware of the rising threat that these products pose to their wellbeing. Besides, individuals and organizations that strive for consumer protection continue to advocate for antibiotics-free alternatives. They conduct their campaigns through various platforms. Documentaries such as the film "Super-Size Me" by Morgan Spurlock depict the dangers of unhealthy eating (Caro n.p). Such films threaten the reputation of establishments. They portray food companies as profit-oriented organizations that prey on the addictions of their clients (McCook n.p). Therefore, businesses that do not take the initiative to cut down on antibiotics-raised products may lose food-conscious customers. Enterprises that cannot make the desired changes due to logistical challenges are likely to incur losses as demand shifts to healthier diets.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the practice of using antibiotics in farm animals has existed for an extended period. The technology has had a series of effects on the food industry and public health. The approach has helped farmers to avoid losses caused by animal diseases. They have also increased output volumes to meet the high consumer demand by using medicine as growth-promoters. However, the method has resulted in the creation of resistant bacteria that is a health threat. The condition limits the effectiveness of regular treatment procedures. The antibiotics can also lead to infection of food causing illness among the human population. Thus, there is an urgent need to regulate the production and consumption of unhealthy foods to maintain public health.

Works Cited

Caro, Mark. "Food For Thought, 'Super Size Me' A Film With a Bite; 'Super Size Me' ***1/2: [Chicago Final Edition]." ProQuest. 2004. https://search-proquest-swb.orc.scoolaid.net/centralk12/docview/420214118/FD086131DBAD4922PQ/1?accountid=36628. Accessed 9 Jan. 2019.

McCook, Alison. "Supersize Controversy." ProQuest. 2004. Accessed 9 Jan. 2019. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-swb.orc.scoolaid.net/centralk12/docview/211689215/C168763FB3C9476EPQ/2?accountid=36628. Accessed 9 Jan. 2019.

Roberts, Owen. "Chicken Farmers Are Rethinking Antibiotics: As Consumption Goes Up, So Do Concerns Over What's Being Fed to Chicks." ProQuest, 2017. https://search-proquest-swb.orc.scoolaid.net/centralk12/docview/1951536640/C1CCC419D6564511PQ/1?accountid=36628. Accessed 9 Jan. 2019.

Schouten, Lucy. "Ambitious Consumers Want Even Fewer Antibiotics from McDonald's." ProQuest, 2016. https://search-proquest-swb.orc.scoolaid.net/centralk12/docview/1810914366/8825856EEC1C44E2PQ/1?accountid=36628. Accessed 9 Jan. 2019.