Whole Foods Grilled Over Its ‘No Antibiotics, Ever’ Beef Claim

No antibiotics, never?

A class-action lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges Amazon-owned Whole Foods falsely markets dozens of beef products as free of antibiotics, including with the slogan “No Antibiotics, Ever,” and charges a premium for the falsely marketed products. According to the lawsuit, independent laboratory testing found that the upscale supermarket chain’s beef products contained antibiotic and other pharmaceutical residue.

“The presence of this residue demonstrates the cattle were treated with antibiotics or other pharmaceuticals while being raised,” the lawsuit states.

Administering antibiotics to farmed animals creates “serious health risks,” the lawsuit claims.

It contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the animals—bacteria that consumers of the meat eventually ingest. Once in the human system, these bacteria can cause infections that cannot be treated with existing antibiotics because the bacteria is antibiotic-resistant.

The lawsuit also alleges Whole Foods falsely markets beef as “animal welfare certified,” claiming that the use of antibiotics is also indicative of animal mistreatment as the drugs are often given to animals on factory farms to promote growth and keep them alive in conditions that would otherwise stunt growth and kill them.

TINA.org reached out to Whole Foods for comment. Check back for updates.

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