What are the laws regulating the use of antibiotics in food production?

In Washington, the use of antibiotics in food production is regulated by laws enforced by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. According to these laws, antibiotics are not allowed to be used as preventative or growth-promoting applications, and must be administered in accordance with label instructions. Furthermore, the use of antibiotics for food production is only legal with a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship. The Department of Agriculture also requires that all animal owners and handlers document the use of antibiotics, provide a daily record of antibiotic usage, and maintain records for up to two years. They also require that all antibiotics used on animals are documented, including the type and amount used and the date it was administered. If an animal is found to have antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the Department of Agriculture has the authority to order the animal to be destroyed, and all of the meat, milk, and eggs produced by the animal must be removed from the food supply and either destroyed or recalled. In addition, antibiotics used in food production are subject to record-keeping requirements, reporting requirements, and periodic inspections. These inspections are designed to ensure that antibiotics are used properly and that animals are not being overmedicated with antibiotics.

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What are the laws regulating the use of antibiotics in food production?

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