**GAO-11-801**                      Published: Sep 07, 2011. Publicly Released: Sep 14, 2011.                  

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## Highlights

Antibiotics have saved millions of lives, but antibiotic use in food animals contributes to the emergence of resistant bacteria that may affect humans. The Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) are primarily responsible for ensuring food safety. GAO reviewed the issue in 2004 and recommended improved data collection and risk assessment. GAO was asked to examine the (1) extent to which agencies have collected data on antibiotic use and resistance in animals, (2) actions HHS's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took to mitigate the risk of antibiotic resistance in humans as a result of use in animals, (3) extent to which agencies have researched alternatives to current use practices and educated producers and veterinarians about appropriate use, and (4) actions the European Union (EU) and an EU member country, Denmark, have taken to regulate use in animals and lessons that have been learned. GAO analyzed documents, interviewed officials from national organizations, and visited producers in five states and Denmark..

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## Topics

Agriculture and Food

Agricultural researchAnimal feed and drugsAnimalsAntibioticsData collectionFederal regulationsFood industryFood safetyFood supplyInteragency relationsLessons learnedNutrition researchPharmacological researchRegulatory agenciesRisk assessmentSafety regulation