News.MikeCallicrate.com | A NoBull News Service

Tyson, Cargill, and JBS—three of the four largest beef producers in the U.S.—have been misleading consumers by marketing their products as “raised without antibiotics.” The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducted testing in 2023 to verify that "raised without antibiotics" claims were truthful and accurate. It found at least 20% of the cattle were contaminated with antibiotics. However, the USDA didn’t reveal the names of the companies that had tested positive.

Farm Forward obtained the names through a Freedom of Information Act request. Our latest investigation exposes the companies involvedand the government’s failure to enforce meaningful standards.

These companies have sold—and in some cases, continue to sell—beef labeled antibiotic-free at higher prices even though testing has confirmed that the claim is inaccurate. The chief regulator for antibiotic-free claims is USDA.

So what have they done about the findings? Not much. When USDA released the results of their testing for antibiotics in beef, they promised action. Our report reveals that the extent of the USDA’s immediate action was to send letters to the companies in question. No penalties, no inspections, no tests. Overall, we found two things:

1. Most of the beef industry’s largest companies knowingly deceived the public about claims that their beef is free of antibiotics, and some continue to do so.
2. USDA testing confirms its own shortcomings in substantiating "raised without antibiotics" labeling claims and its failure to take action.

The industry’s widespread use of antibiotics that are medically important for treating human disease is a leading cause of global antibiotic resistance. This is a phenomenon that both the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control name as one of the most pressing public health issues of our time.

Responsible practices by producers who refrain from the use of unnecessary antibiotics and conscientious consumers who purchase antibiotic-free products are undermined in their efforts to combat antibiotic resistance. When the largest meat companies lie about their antibiotic use, they are not only deceiving and disenfranchising consumers; their reckless use of antibiotics endangers public health.

Farm Forward is featured in this Sentient Media article about USDA’s role in perpetuating this deception.

Despite growing evidence from peer-reviewed research and USDA’s own findings, the agency continues to approve “raised without antibiotics” labels without requiring testing to verify those claims.

“From our perspective, this is the USDA deliberately maintaining labeling policies that allow meat companies to mislead the public.”
-Farm Forward Executive Director, Andrew deCoriolis

Farm Forward’s 2022 investigation into misleading antibiotic-free labeling at Whole Foods helped spark a lawsuit—and now that case is advancing.

At a recent hearing, a judge considered whether the suit—centered on the false “No Antibiotics, Ever” claim—can move forward as a class action. Independent testing and USDA data support the core allegation: Whole Foods sold beef with antibiotic residues under a label that promised otherwise.

Stay informed with recent media coverage and key articles related to our work at Farm Forward:

• Fairlife milk and Dallas-based supplier again accused of fraud, ‘egregious animal cruelty’
• Humane farming certifications allegedly fail again, in both U.S. & U.K.
• Is Beef Labeled "Raised Without Antibiotics" Actually Antibiotic-Free? A Disturbing Report Reveals, Maybe Not
• The House GOP Wants to Cut Food Stamps to Fund Tax Cuts. Will the Senate Get on Board?
• Battle brews in Michigan over methane deregulation bills
• Kiowa County Press Daily Audio Newscast

farmforward.com/donate