Why hormones aren’t important, why antibiotics are

I want to point out that within the pork production industry, it is illegal for us to use any sort of growth-promoting hormone. Not only is pork that’s labeled as “hormone free” misleading, it’s just plain false.

As a caretaker of pigs, antibiotic resistance is a concern. That’s why the first thing we try to do is accurately diagnose an animal. If we know it’s a virus, there’s no reason for us to use an antibiotic. I want you to know we aren’t just using these tools freely. I want to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics, because they are needed to protect us and the animals we care for.

Considering the consequences

Are you concerned about antibiotic residues in food? I am too, but for different reasons. Any time we treat a pig, we have an FDA-mandated record that we have to keep for a year. It lists:

The animal treated
The day it was treated
What drug was used and how we used it (orally or injected)
How much was used
Withdrawal time on the antibiotic (how long the pig is separated from the food supply herd)

And then we sign our name to it.

When it comes time to harvest a pig, there are USDA inspectors testing for residue. They are testing areas where an antibiotic would be, where it leaves the body – the liver or kidneys.

If they find a residue, a huge fine is levied on a farm. And, the vet of record for that farm can get into major trouble, because their name is on a prescription. That kind of consequence ensures that nothing goes to harvest with an antibiotic residue.