What does CRAU stand for?
Certified Responsible Antibiotic Use (CRAU)
What is CRAU?
CRAU is the first responsible use standard verified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that allows for minimal use of medically important antibiotics in meat and poultry production, and only when prescribed by a licensed veterinarian. Verification by USDA, a government agency accountable to Congress and the public, is essential to ensuring the integrity of CRAU. Meat and poultry companies interested in meeting CRAU standards must undergo regular USDA on-site audits to substantiate conformance.
Why was the CRAU standard created?
The CRAU standard was created in response to consumer demand for such products and for the assurance of neutral, non-profit management backed by 3rd-party USDA verification. CRAU is a market-driven, grassroots solution to the critical public health challenge of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance—an inevitable consequence of antibiotic use in human medicine and animal agriculture—is a serious and escalating threat. The overuse of antibiotics has given rise to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Antibiotic resistant infections are now the third leading cause of deaths in the world.
Since any antibiotic use encourages the development of resistance, it is important to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in all settings—including hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and in food production. By purchasing meat and poultry raised with responsible antibiotic use, consumers and institutions alike can help address this problem—and encourage suppliers to adopt better practices, which slows the emergence of superbugs and keeps antibiotics working longer.
The CRAU standard strikes the right balance for animal and human health, gives purchasers a reliable method of determining which suppliers practice responsible antibiotic use, and represents a big win for public health.
What does the CRAU standard accomplish?
- An essential protocol for antibiotic use that aligns with international standards and provides for the treatment of sick animals while encouraging the redesign of production systems to minimize both sickness and antibiotic use
- Preservation of antibiotic effectiveness for when it is most needed in meat and poultry production and in human health.
- Supply of affordable responsible antibiotic use products for consumers and institutions
- Transparency and accountability in antibiotic use claims and practices
- 3rd party verification by USDA:
- Regular on-site audits
- Publicly posted auditor checklist, auditor guide and official listing of approved CRAU programs
Who manages the CRAU standard?
CRAU is managed by the Antibiotic Resistance Action Center (ARAC) at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University. It was initially developed by School Food Focus in 2014 and staff from ARAC worked closely with School Food Focus over the years to help develop and ensure the CRAU standard is rooted in the latest scientific developments. In late 2017, School Food Focus formally transferred the standard to ARAC.
Is CRAU available for all meat and poultry (chicken, turkey, pork and beef) products?
Yes!
When can’t antibiotics be used?
Antibiotics with analogues in human medicine are not allowed for disease prevention, growth promotion, feed efficiency, weight gain, failure to address underlying causes of disease, or any other purpose that is not medically justified.
How did CRAU first come to be?
Poultry is the #1 protein on the plate in school food. School Food Focus developed the CRAU poultry standard in 2014 to minimize the use of antibiotics in poultry production and give schools an option to purchase poultry raised with responsible antibiotic use. In late 2017, School Food Focus formally transferred the standard to ARAC.
When can antibiotics be used?
Antibiotics with analogues in human medicine can only be used therapeutically to: 1) treat disease in poultry diagnosed with bacterial disease; and 2) control disease in poultry exposed to infectious bacteria. In both circumstances, this must be validated by a licensed veterinarian and exacting documentation for USDA auditors to review.
When can’t antibiotics be used?
Antibiotics with analogues in human medicine are not allowed for disease prevention, growth promotion, feed efficiency, weight gain, failure to address underlying causes of disease, or any other purpose that is not medically justified.
How can I learn more about the CRAU process?
The CRAU standard and all materials relevant to the audit process (auditor guide, audit checklist, etc) can be accessed by clicking here.See the USDA CRAU page for the most up to date list of approved CRAU programs.
Is there a list of approved CRAU programs?
See the USDA CRAU page for the most up to date list of approved CRAU programs.
