All retailed Canadian pork is antibiotic-free
Click here to download our printable antibiotics brochure.
Responsible antibiotic use
Sometimes, antibiotics are required to fight infection and disease in both humans and animals. Without the responsible and timely use of antibiotics, bacterial infections and illnesses can spread rapidly on a farm, which endangers the health of our animals and the safety of our food.
If it is determined that antibiotics are needed, they are used sensibly and under strict veterinarian consultation. Manitoba’s hog farmers always seek the solutions that are best for the well-being of their animals, food safety, and the environment.
Healthy pigs, safe pork
You can buy pork with confidence knowing that Manitoba hog farmers us antibiotics safely, responsibly, and only as directed.
Canadian health regulations prohibit meat products that contain antibiotic residue.
This is why farmers who use antibiotics in their swine herds must following strict dosing schedules, which includes the withdrawal of antibiotics a certain number of days before pigs go to market.
DID YOU KNOW?
Hog farmers work closely with veterinarians to ensure the health of their animals.
Canada has a stringent meat inspection system that ensures only healthy pigs are processed and that no antibiotic residue is present in the meat.
All medications used to raise hogs have been approved by Health Canada.
Antibiotics are only used to treat hogs when it is known that the medication will provide measurable benefits to maintaining animal health.
Hog farmers take care to administer antibiotics properly, as directed on the label and by their vet. This makes for a healthy pig and better food safety down the road.
RWA isn't just a name
Raised without antibiotics (RWA) means no antibiotics are ever given to the animals. If an animal in an RWA program becomes sick, careful consideration is given to all treatment options to restore its health. If an animal is treated with an antibiotic, it would be removed from the RWA program.
No added growth hormones
Canadian farmers never use growth hormones to raise pigs. Hormonal growth promoters are not approved for use in any species other than beef cattle. For more information, click here.