Research conducted on behalf of the Pew Charitable Trusts finds that 80% of American moms are concerned about the use of antibiotics in animals farmed for food and more than three-quarters would support federal regulations to limit such use.

When asked about regulation of industrial farms, 63% of American moms said there should be a lot more, while 30% felt it should stay the same and 7% thought there should be less regulation. In general, the level of support for more regulation was similar to that identified in 2008. Moreover, 80% of American mothers say they are very concerned about antibiotics being given to food animals.

American mothers are generally supportive of proposed federal regulation, specifically that which (strongly favor %/ total favor %):

• Allows antibiotics to be used for sick animals, but not to promote growth (61%/ 83%)
• Requires producers to submit annual report to FDA showing amount and purpose of antibiotics used on farm (60%/ 83%)
• Requires that any antibiotics used on food animals be prescribed and administered by veterinarians (55%/ 80%)
• Requires the FDA to rule on what constitutes “judicious” use of antibiotics in food animals so all parties have the same info (51%/ 77%)
• Creates and expands USDA programs that provide producers with info on best practices (50%/ 79%)
• Allows antibiotics to be used in treatment of sick animals, but not to compensate for effects of inadequate living conditions (49%/ 75%)
• Stops the practice of giving antibiotics to healthy food animals if they are similar to antibiotics used on humans (49%/ 72%)

Overall, 78% of moms would support all seven of the above listed recommendations.