ORGANIC BYTES #70
Health, Environment, and Consumer News Tidbits with an Edge!
11/30/2005

ANIMAL ANTIBIOTICS DISCOVERED IN COMMON VEGETABLES
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have found residues from animal antibiotics in common produce, says a new study <http://jeq.scijournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/34/6/2082?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=antibiotics&searchid=1133370576050_986&stored_search=&FIRSTINDEX=0&volume=34&issue=6&journalcode=joenq> . Spreading raw manure on fields from animals treated with antibiotics is a common practice on conventional farms. Unfortunately scientists have now discovered that vegetables like corn, cabbage and green onions absorb those antibiotics, which are then ingested by consumers. "Vegetarians may think the huge overuse of antibiotics in livestock and poultry will not affect them, but that's not true," stated Margaret Mellon, the director of the Union of Concerned Scientists. "Consumers eating vegetables grown on soil fertilized with manure may be unknowingly ingesting antibiotics." Regular consumption of these antibiotics can then cause bacteria in the body to become resistant. http://www.organicconsumers.org/foodsafety/antibiotics112305.cfm