Flavomycin

Food additives Europe numbers: E712 
Flavomycin, also known as flavomycin sodium or bambermycin, is an interesting case when it comes to food additives. Here's what you need to know:

Antibiotic Used in Animal Feed (Not a Food Additive):

• Flavomycin is not a food additive itself. It's an antibiotic medication used in some countries as a feed additive for poultry and livestock.

Function in Animal Feed:

• Flavomycin works by inhibiting the growth of certain bacteria in the gut of animals. This can promote growth, improve feed efficiency, and potentially prevent some diseases in animals.

Concerns and Regulations:

• The use of Flavomycin as a feed additive has raised concerns about antibiotic resistance. The overuse of antibiotics in animals can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can pose a threat to human health.
• Due to these concerns, the use of Flavomycin as a feed additive is banned or restricted in some countries, including the European Union. The FDA in the US allows its use under certain regulations.

Not Present in Meat:

• Flavomycin is not intended to be present in the meat of animals that are consumed by humans. Withdrawal periods are mandated after using Flavomycin in animal feed to ensure the antibiotic residues don't persist in the meat.

Alternatives to Flavomycin:

• There are ongoing efforts to find alternative feed additives that can promote animal growth and health without the use of antibiotics. These alternatives might include probiotics, prebiotics, or other natural supplements.