No Added Antibiotics Explained
Updated: 10 hours ago
No added antibiotics explained: the wording on a beef label matters. Some labels mean an animal never received antibiotics, and others mean antibiotics were used only when an animal was sick.
No antibiotics added, no antibiotics ever, antibiotic-free, no antibiotics administered, raised without antibiotics: these are all labels stamped on chicken, beef, turkey, and more at the grocery store.
No added antibiotics explained: why the wording matters
Here is one piece of knowledge to keep in your back pocket: wording matters.
"No Antibiotics Ever" and "Antibiotic Free" tell you the animals have never been given antibiotics, ever. A study in Translational Animal Science found that 70% of people believe eliminating antibiotics completely results in cleaner, healthier animals. But these farms or companies may exclude animals that have been sick, even if they were properly treated.
What Pre's antibiotic label means
At Pre, we believe in the controlled, safe use of antibiotics when animals are in need. If an animal is sick, a veterinarian administers antibiotics and the animal is removed from the rest of the herd. When the tested amount of time has gone by and the antibiotics are out of its system, the animal rejoins the herd.
The wording on our packs is "No sub-therapeutic antibiotics." It means animals do not receive antibiotics on a daily basis, and only receive antibiotics in the case of illness. You may also see this idea described as "no added antibiotics." Learn more in what are sub-therapeutic antibiotics?
Living conditions matter, too
An animal's living conditions are just as important as antibiotic use. Look at where the animals are being raised. Some places are better equipped than others for year-round grazing. Pre sources from cattle raised in New Zealand and Australia, where the climate is ideal all year round and allows for fresh, green pastures at all times. Because the cattle are raised in great conditions, sickness and preventative antibiotics are rarely needed.
In some areas, feedlots are a common way of raising cattle where the climate is not ideal year-round. Cattle are crowded and eat out of the same troughs, so diseases can spread easily. In that situation, preventative antibiotics may be used in the feed to keep disease at bay.
The bottom line on antibiotic labels
Pay attention to the wording. "Antibiotic Free" and "No Antibiotics Ever" mean the animal has never seen an antibiotic. "No sub-therapeutic antibiotics" means the animal is treated when it is sick, much like we treat ourselves. If we are sick, we take antibiotics, stay home from work, and return to our herd when we are healthy again. We think that is how humans and animals should live.
Watch the full video, featuring Julie Divis, our Quality Manager, explaining all the meat labels so you can feel good about what you are buying. For the full guide, read understanding the meat label, and see what every claim on a Pre pack actually means.
FAQ
What is the difference between 'no antibiotics ever' and 'no sub-therapeutic antibiotics'?
'No antibiotics ever' means the animal never received an antibiotic, even if sick. 'No sub-therapeutic antibiotics' means animals do not receive antibiotics on a daily basis, and only receive them in the case of illness.
What happens if a Pre animal gets sick?
A veterinarian treats it, and the animal is removed from the herd until the antibiotics are out of its system. Then it rejoins the herd.
Why do living conditions matter for antibiotic use?
Cattle raised on pasture in a mild climate are less likely to get sick, so routine preventative antibiotics are not needed.
Where can I buy Pre 100% Grass-Fed & Finished Beef?
Pre Brands beef is a lean, High Protein, delicious way to keep dinner healthy. Use our store locator to find a store near you, browse all Pre products, or find us on Instacart.
