Statement by Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond Regarding the T

[2008-12-23 17:06:48]

Congressional and Public Affairs

(202) 720-9113

Amanda Eamich



"On June 2, FSIS issued a letter to Tyson Foods, Inc. rescinding the "Raised Without Antibiotics That Impact Human Antibiotic Resistance" label.



"FSIS is required to ensure labels are not false and misleading. In December 2007, FSIS approved the qualified raised without antibiotics label based on information provided by Tyson Foods, Inc.



"The label is being rescinded based on additional information provided to FSIS only after the qualified claim had been approved.



"Specifically, FSIS found that they routinely used the antibiotic Gentamicin to prevent illness and death in chicks.



"Because of this information, FSIS notified Tyson Foods, Inc. that the company must stop using the qualified raised without antibiotics labels, or any variation of a "Raised without antibiotics" claim by June 18.



"On May 23, FSIS notified Tyson Foods Inc. that FSIS, along with the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, will initiate a public process to review policies on "Raised without antibiotics" claims for poultry.



"To ensure that this process is equitable, FSIS will review any claim relating to the use of antibiotics in poultry that it has already approved for companies other than Tyson Foods, Inc."
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Last Modified: June 3, 2008
Source: FSIS
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