Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
News

Walmart, McDonald’s and Other Food Companies Urge Congress to Fund National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria

March 16, 2016

Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requested $5.1 billion from President Barack Obama’s fiscal year 2017 budget. Today, Pew Charitable Trusts, Infectious Diseases Society of America and a host of other food companies sent a letter to Congress, urging House and Senate members to “include funding in the fiscal year (FY) 2017 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to support the Administration’s implementation of the National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and at the Department of Agriculture (USDA).”

Besides the aforementioned, the letter is also signed by the following food companies and retailers: Applegate, Bon Appetit Management Company, Cargill, Inc., Costco Wholesale, Hormel Foods, McDonald’s USA, LLC, Tyson Food, Inc. and Walmart Stores, Inc. The letter is addressed specifically to four House and Senate Appropriators:

The Honorable Jerry Moran, Chairman, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Committee on Appropriations (R-KS)

The Honorable Jeff Merkley, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Committee on Appropriations (D-OR)

The Honorable Robert Aderholt, Chairman, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Committee on Appropriations Committee on Appropriations (R-AL)

The Honorable Sam Farr, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Committee on Appropriations Committee (D-CA)

Originally, the fiscal year 2017 budget called for $42 million of FDA funding for all Combating Antibiotic-Resistance Bacteria priorities. For the past 4 years, the agency has worked to advance policies and laws that support reasonable use of antibiotics in animal agriculture. The FDA’s new request will fund the collection of additional data under Section 105 of the Animal Drug User Fee Act, with the ultimate goal of improving understanding of the use and distribution of antibiotics in major food-producing species while helping the FDA to reinforce producer efforts to ensure more sensible use of medically important antibiotics. Finally, if the FDA can secure this new use of funds, it will also support the agency’s collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in combining each organization’s data set related to the use of antibiotics.

In terms of the USDA, the fiscal year 2017 budget asked for $61 million for antimicrobial resistance research, including a $10 million increase in funds for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The USDA funding would allow the department to support research to enhance understanding of the development of antimicrobial resistance and the spread of resistance genes in animals and humans. Funding would also support expanded dissemination of science-based knowledge to veterinarians and producers, and use of voluntary surveys to measure antibiotic use in animal agriculture.

A formal congressional response to the letter requesting support of antimicrobial resistance funding is pending.

Sign up for Food Safety Magazine’s bi-weekly emails!


Author(s): Staff

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Microbiological
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Personal Hygiene/Handwashing
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    International
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Deli Salads
    Sponsored byCorbion

    How Food Safety is Becoming the Ultimate Differentiator in Refrigerated and Prepared Foods

Popular Stories

Scientist inspecting food substance with microscope

FDA Announces ‘Proactive’ Post-Market Chemical Review Program to Keep Food Supply Safe

Top view of several sandwiches

FDA Provides Update on Listeria Outbreak Related to Products of Fresh & Ready Foods LLC

FSM podcast

Ep. 193. Christian Ararat: A Global Perspective on Auditing, Certifications, AI, and Beyond

Events

June 12, 2025

Additive Bans Ahead: Your Guide to Avoiding Risk and Maintaining Agility

Live: June 12, 2025 at 12:00 pm EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn how ingredient bans will impact product development, labeling, and sourcing.

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • US Capitol Building

    Major Food Industry Groups Urge Congress to Take Action on FDA Authorities, Budget

    See More
  • FDA logo on a checklist clipboard

    GAO, HHS Urge FDA to Develop Implementation Plan for Food Traceability Final Rule

    See More
  • baby food

    FDA Releases Action Plan for Reducing Exposure to Toxic Elements in Food for Babies and Young Children

    See More
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing