NEW STUDY IDENTIFIES ADDITIONAL LINKS BETWEEN POULTRY ANTIBIOTIC USE AND HUMAN DRUG RESISTANCE
Ionophores, Commonly Used in Animal Agriculture, Found to Contribute to Antibiotic Resistance in Humans
Salisbury, MD, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new study, published in mSphere, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology, suggests some antibiotics used in conventional poultry farming may contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance in humans. This research, conducted by Dr. Alex Wong, Asalia Ibrahim and Jason Au of Carleton University's Department of Biology, focuses on ionophores, a class of antibiotics commonly used in conventional poultry farming and previously described as 'not important to human medicine.'
'This research underscores the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of animal and human health,' explains Dr. Alex Wong. 'While ionophores have long been considered safe for use in poultry to prevent parasitic infections, this study suggests that ionophore use could fuel the growth of antibiotic resistance to medically relevant drugs.'
This study highlights the ongoing research and critical discussion about responsible antibiotic use in animal agriculture, showcasing the potentially negative long-term human and animal health effects of using antibiotics in animal production, even those not presently deemed 'important to human medicine."
The study found:
Bacterial pathogens around the world have genes (narA and narB) that allow them to resist ionophores.
These genes are often found linked to other resistance genes that protect bacteria from human antibiotics.
When ionophores are used, they can unintentionally encourage bacteria to carry both types of resistance – making them harder to kill with medicines we need and increasing the risk of clinically significant antimicrobial resistance spreading from animal agriculture to human healthcare systems.
The study's findings contribute to the ongoing scientific conversation about antibiotic resistance and inform future research and policy decisions and provides evidence that the widespread use of ionophores potentially threaten human health.
'This study surprised me. Personally, I've been dismissing the use of ionophores for years because we didn't have this evidence. This study suggests that it could be driving resistance to the drugs we do care about. When animal producers use ionophores they can drive the growth of bacteria that are resistant to our most important medicines,' Lance Price, M.S. Ph.D., Professor at George Washington's (GW) Milken Institute School of Public Health and Founding Director of GW's Antibiotic Resistance Action Center.
Perdue Takes No Chances with Animal or Human Health, Standing Firm on Its Decade-Long 'No Antibiotics Ever' Commitment
Ionophore use in poultry has been on the rise after a reintroduction of usage by large producers—with some poultry companies relying on routine use of the drug class for preventing illness. However, Perdue Farms took a trailblazing approach by committing to No Antibiotics Ever (NAE) in 2016, shunning the use of all antibiotics including ionophores.
Perdue Farms remains committed to its No Antibiotics Ever (NAE) program. 'We started our NAE transition initially due to consumer demand, however with time we have seen, and appreciate, the animal welfare and human health benefits of this approach,' states Dr. Bruce Stewart-Brown, DVM, Chief Science Officer at Perdue Farms. 'For a decade now, our No Antibiotics Ever commitment has reflected our belief that what's good for the bird is also good for people– and this study confirms that belief is well-founded. At the end of the day, it's a promise that gives consumers peace of mind and sets a higher standard for responsible poultry production.'
This research was funded by the Canadian Government, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Perdue Farms. Learn more about the study and Perdue Farms' commitment to NAE at corporate.perduefarms.com.
For media interested, there will be a virtual briefing today, June 25, at 10 AM ET. You can join that briefing using this link starting at 10 AM ET, or reach out to kerri.mcclimen@perdue.com for more detail.
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About Perdue FarmsWe're a fourth-generation, family-owned, U.S. food and agriculture company. Through our belief in responsible food and agriculture, we are empowering consumers, customers, and farmers through trusted choices in products and services. Perdue Foods consists of a premium protein portfolio, including our flagship PERDUE® brand, Niman Ranch®, Coleman Natural®, Pasturebird®, and Yummy®, as well as our pet brands, Full Moon® and Spot Farms®, and is available through various channels including retail, foodservice, club stores and our direct-to-consumer website, PerdueFarms.com. Perdue AgriBusiness is a leading merchandiser, processor, and exporter of agricultural products and the largest U.S. manufacturer of specialty, organic, and non-GMO oils. It also ranks as one of the largest suppliers of organic feed ingredients in the world. Now in our company's second century, we never use drugs for growth promotion in raising poultry and livestock, and we are actively advancing our animal welfare programs. Our brands are leaders in no-antibiotics-ever and in USDA-certified organic proteins. Learn more at Corporate.PerdueFarms.com.
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Ionophores Report Infographic
CONTACT: Kerri McClimen Perdue Farms kerri.mcclimen@perdue.com
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