{"id":10041,"date":"2019-08-01T15:43:51","date_gmt":"2019-08-01T13:43:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/axfoundation.misc.jishi.se\/projekt\/antibiotika-inom-livsmedelsproduktion"},"modified":"2026-02-16T12:00:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T11:00:22","slug":"antibiotics-in-food-production","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/www.axfoundation.se\/en\/projects\/antibiotics-in-food-production","title":{"rendered":"Antibiotics in Food Production \u2013 Towards Responsible Antibiotics Use"},"content":{"rendered":"
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All actors in the food chain have a responsibility to minimize the spread of antibiotic resistance in animal husbandry. Photo: iStock<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The Issue<\/h2>\n
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Antibiotic overuse is a widespread problem in food production, with a clear link between sub-standard animal husbandry and excessive use of antibiotics. Globally, more antibiotics are used for animals than for humans, but in Sweden, the situation is reversed. Thanks to proactive efforts, about one-tenth of total antibiotic sales are used for animals. Sweden has demonstrated that it is possible to reduce the use of antibiotics drastically while still maintaining production. Compared to many countries, Sweden has a significantly lower average antibiotic consumption, but in several other nations, the problem remains severe.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Healthy animals do not need antibiotics – yet globally, antibiotics are still used to treat healthy animals. Currently, 20% of the world\u2019s countries administer antibiotics for purely growth promotion purposes, a procedure that was banned in Sweden in 1986 and within the EU in 2006. Additionally, group treatments are common, where entire groups of animals receive antibiotics even if only a few are sick. In these cases, antibiotics are not only used to treat illness, but also as a preventive measure to keep animals healthy in a sub-standard environment. Intensive animal agriculture is one of the key drivers of antibiotic resistance.<\/p>\n

The more antibiotics that are used, the greater the risk is that the bacteria will develop resistance, resilience and immunity to the drug. The medicine simply does not work anymore. This leads to an increased spread of resistant bacteria, between humans, between animals, and between animals and humans, creating a global health issue. Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Public Health Agency of Swedish state that antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health. Currently, at least 1.2 million people die each year due to diseases related to drug-resistant bacteria. In 2050, the number is estimated to increase dramatically to 10 million people if actions are not taken to counteract the development.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Our Solution<\/h2>\n
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In order to reach responsible use of antibiotics that minimizes the risk of resistance development, increased responsibility needs to be taken in all sectors that use antibiotics. As the largest use of antibiotics occurs in animal husbandry, all actors in the food chain have a responsibility to minimize the development of antibiotic resistance. Effective efforts that reach all levels require collaboration. Therefore, Axfoundation, together with companies, academia, authorities and industry associations, and civil society organizations, has in several initiatives worked to highlight the issue and encourage more actors to take action.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Animals must be kept in a way that gives them space to move freely and be able to rest in a way that is suitable for them. Photo: iStock<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Our Work<\/h2>\n
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Since the start in 2013, Axfoundation has been driving change through a series of practical initiatives related to responsible antibiotic use in food production.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The Antibiotic Criteria<\/h3>\n

Together with a wide range of partners and experts, Axfoundation has developed the Antibiotic Criteria \u2013 a concrete tool aimed at encouraging the food industry to gain knowledge, set standards and follow up on their suppliers.<\/p>\n

Read the criteria<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The Antibiotic Platform<\/h3>\n

During 2021-2025, Axfoundation and The Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry (KSLA) led The Antibiotic Platform where stakeholders across sectors joined forces to accelerate efforts against antibiotic resistance.<\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Updates on Antibiotics (in Swedish)<\/h3>\n

Axfoundation sends out a bi-weekly update on antibiotics, trade, and animal husbandry, with the latest news and events curated by veterinarian and antibiotic expert Jenny Lundstr\u00f6m.<\/p>\n

Read more and subscribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The Antibiotic Dialogue \u2013 Practical Work on Responsible Antibiotic Use<\/h3>\n

Axfoundation regularly gathers companies in the food sector that have a pronounced ambition to work towards responsible antibiotic use in their supply chains.<\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Did you know…<\/h2>\n
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Misunderstandings sometimes arise when it comes to antibiotics in food production. Here are four things that are good to know.<\/p>\n

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antibiotic resistance: <\/strong>AMR is a collective term for the ability of microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites) to resist treatment with drugs, pesticides, and more. Antibiotic resistance is included in the collective term AMR.<\/p>\n

The antibiotic residues in food are so small that they are not a health risk for humans:<\/strong> Within the EU, there are strict rules regarding the allowed amount of antibiotic residues in food. The rules also state that animals treated with antibiotics, for example, cannot be slaughtered immediately.<\/p>\n

The risk of getting infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria through food is considered low:<\/strong> Instead, there is a greater risk that farmers get directly infected by their own animals and then spread the resistant bacteria to other people. The spread of resistant bacteria occurs between animals, between humans, and between humans and animals.<\/p>\n

Antibiotics are also used in crop cultivation:<\/strong> This primarily occurs in fruit cultivation to protect trees from bacterial diseases. The use is still relatively small compared to the livestock sector, but it means that antibiotics are applied directly to the external environment.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n

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Results & Timeline<\/h2>\n
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The work that Axfoundation has carried out for several years has led to several results and inspired a number of other important initiatives to decrease the use of antibiotics. Some of these are:<\/p>\n