From the use of synthetic growth hormones in milk to understanding exactly what food labels mean, Americans have some big concerns about our food supply, according to a recent Consumer Reports food-labeling poll. Here is a small sample of the report:

• 93% of consumers polled agree that dairies that produce milk and milk products without artificial growth hormones should be allowed to label their products as being free of these hormones. You can find milk produced without hormones labeled as "rbGH-free" or "rbST-free."
• 83% of consumers polled are concerned or very concerned about harmful bacteria or chemicals in food.
• 96% of consumers polled agree that meat companies should be allowed to test and label meat products as "tested for mad cow disease." Currently, use of this label is not allowed.

It is clear that consumers want safe food and for it to be labeled accurately. FACT advocates for federal policies that would require livestock farmers to improve the way they raise their animals. Clean, healthy farms that test for harmful bacteria produce safer meat and eggs. FACT has long opposed the use of growth hormones with dairy cows and helped craft the original federal response to Mad Cow. We also support the development and enforcement of strict labeling standards that describe how food animals are raised, including labels such as "naturally raised," "Organic" and "clone free."

For more information on FACT's efforts to minimize consumer exposure to meat and dairy products that come from cloned animals, keep reading!

In September, we asked you to write to McDonald's and urge the company not to use ingredients from cloned animals or their offspring. Thank you for taking action! Because of our collaborative effort, the company issued a statement on cloning (see below). This is just the first step in a new initiative dedicated to ensuring that our food supply is clone-free.

As part of this new initiative, FACT recently joined forces with a broad coalition of animal and consumer groups to urge companies not to produce or purchase food that comes from cloned animals or their offspring. Earlier this year, the FDA declared cloned products safe to eat, despite the known risks of cloning to animal welfare, and potentially to food safety as well. (For more information, see FACT's comments on cloning.)

What's even more disturbing is that food from cloned animals and their offspring does not have to be labeled as such on retail packages, making it virtually impossible for consumers to avoid it if they so choose. And it's clear that consumers want to know about their food - the recent survey conducted by Consumer Reports mentioned above found that 94 percent of consumers believe that meat and dairy products from cloned animals should be labeled.

That's why FACT is a member and supporter of the Go Clone Free campaign. We are asking food companies, producers, restaurants and grocers to take a pledge to "to avoid any products or ingredients derived from cloned animals or their offspring, and we not knowingly accept, purchase, or sell any such products." Over 150 companies, including McDonald's, have been contacted to date and responses will be posted as they come in. As more companies take the pledge, the easier it will be for consumers to find clone-free food items they feel confident purchasing and consuming.

While McDonald's hasn't officially signed the pledge, the company did issue this statement:

"McDonald's has been monitoring and evaluating scientific findings and consumer opinion on animal cloning for the past few years. We are not aware of any research that shows public health or safety concerns related to cloning. However, we do not currently support the use of animal products sourced from cloned animals in our supply. We will continue to look to our customers to gauge their acceptance of products from cloned animals. In the meantime, we continue to support industry-led, government-enforced traceability systems, which have multiple benefits, including the ability to better track cloned animals in the food supply. We are also aware of the animal welfare concerns related to cloning and will continue to follow developments in this area with the help of our advisors."

FACT and the Go Clone Free campaign will continue to urge McDonald's the sign the pledge. We will keep you informed of our progress and have exciting new opportunities for you to take action on this issue in the New Year!

On November 26, the day before Thanksgiving, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reversed its decision to ban the extralabel use of cephalosporin antimicrobial drugs in veterinary medicine. This move came after the Agency received over 100 comments from the animal agriculture industry and production veterinarians.

The reversal ignores the evidence on which FDA's initial decision was based as well as other studies submitted to the Agency supporting the ban. FDA determined there was a public health risk in part because there had been a rapid rise in resistance to cephalosporin drugs in the foodborne pathogen Salmonella in both humans and farm animals. Along with many other important infections, cephalosporins are the treatment of choice for serious Salmonella infections in humans which cause 1,300,000 U.S. illnesses each year. Rising resistance is a problem because it leads to more severe illness including a greater number of hospitalizations and even death.

FACT's Richard Wood, Steve Roach, and others recently met with the FDA to underscore the importance of this scientific evidence and the growing threat to human health caused by this extralabel drug use. In our view, when the FDA set this compelling evidence aside to revoke its ban, it also set aside its mandate to protect public health. FACT and the Keep Antibiotics Working coalition plan to work with the new administration to restore the ban.

"Extralabel" use occurs when a drug is used for a purpose other than the one described on the label. Such use with farm animals is allowed by federal law if it is done by a veterinarian and is for therapeutic purposes. When extralabel use threatens human or animal health, as is the case with cephalosporins, FACT believes it should be prohibited.

On November 22nd and 23rd, FACT connected with farmers, trade buyers and fans of locally grown and responsibly-produced products at the FamilyFarmed EXPO in Chicago. FACT staff distributed information on local humane food choices and raised awareness about the struggles faced by farm animals. One lucky expo attendee won a $25 gift certificate donated by Tallgrass Beef, a company that raises grass fed and grass finished beef cattle. All told, FACT met with hundreds of people during the course of the weekend event and continued to build its base of support for humane and healthy farms.

Now more than ever, our ability to continue working on behalf of farm animals is made possible by the kindness of people like you. Thank you for supporting Food Animal Concerns Trust this busy holiday season. In order to ensure that your contribution is credited for tax purposes as a calendar year 2008 donation, online donations must be submitted by December 28th, 2008. Click here to make an online gift now. If you have any questions about year-end donations, please contact Larissa McKenna at (773) 525-4952. Again, we thank you.