finally, something I can agree with.

Hello all, and happy Tuesday! I just got out of my advanced food science test... and um, I guess we will see how that one went. I never really considered how much goes into certain processes of cooking, or why adding certain things to a egg foam with affect it, until I got in this class. This particular test was over sugars, eggs, and fat. So, if you ever wanna know why an acid prevents synergesis in egg whites, just let me know. OMG... definitely didn't choose the food science profession for a reason. Anyways-- I still have 2 tests and 3 quizzes before the week ends. So, wish me luck. Also this week former Mayor Guilliani will be visiting campus. I cant wait to go see him!


So how about I stumbled across something I actually agree with... something from the FDA. Typically I write about how much some of their decisions dont really sit right with me, but this one definitely makes me happy. 


Lets rewind back to the year 1977. This was the year that the FDA began and never finished the process of banning penicillin and tetracycline, widely used antibiotics in animal feed. While these help with growth of animals, when used in such high amounts, humans consuming these animals and ultimately these antibiotics, develop a resistance. These antibiotics are prescribed with NO prescription at NO sign of sickness in these animals. Farmers were so impressed by the fatter animals that they kept adding these to feed and water. 
"Eighty percent of antibiotics bought in the United States are used in animals, not humans. Meanwhile, outbreaks of illnesses from antibiotic-resistant bacteria have grown in number and severity, killing thousands." -- NYTimes

So, now fast forward to 2012. Just two months after the Obama administration announced the restrictions on agricultural uses of cephalosporins, which treats things like strep throat and pneumonia, a federal judge ordered to open the case that the FDA left unfinished 35 years ago."In a ruling handed down Thursday, Judge Theodore Katz said the FDA must begin steps to withdraw approval of the two antibiotics for routine use in animals." Antibiotics would not be able to be immediately halted from feeds, the drug companies will need time to adress and scheldule a public hearing. "If, at the hearing, the drug sponsors fail to show that use of the drugs is safe, the FDA commissioner must issue a withdrawal order," ruled Katz, a judge in New York City."

So whats the big deal about antibiotics in feed? Right, thats the question you're asking. Read this, I'm not sure if I wrote it... that it would make the least bit sense.
"The science is clear on two points. First, by inappropriately giving antibiotics to livestock*, we promote the growth of new strains of bacteria that are resistant to existing antibiotics and can infect humans. And, second, that those antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a serious, expensive, and sometimes fatal, risk for humans. The humans at risk, by the way, are not only the humans who eat meat or work with livestock. All humans are at increased risk for infection by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including vegetarians and those who never have and never will set foot near a chicken, turkey, pig, or cow." -- Representative Louise Slaughter 

So, like I said, this makes me pretty happy. I think that the FDA is making steps in the right direction. What are your thoughts?


Have a wonderful Tuesday... and I think you should come visit me tonight at AA and Cardio Sculpt! 8 and 830 :D