Contemporary or Modern Food Production is a method that uses technology to maximize the efficiency of agricultural production. Harvesting the largest crop per acre or the most meat, milk or eggs per animal, while conserving natural resources and meeting the demands of a growing global population is the goal of modern farming and ranching practices.
Most food and fiber production in the United States today employs modern techniques. Government- approved and scientifically-tested tools such as fertilizers (to encourage plant growth), insecticides (to prevent loss from insects), herbicides (to prevent loss from weeds), and antibiotics and growth promotants (to prevent and treat disease and improve feed efficiency) are common practices in conventional production.
The FDA, the USDA and the EPA work together to ensure that modern agricultural practices are safe for consumers, producers, animals and the environment. They have not required labeling of the type of production methods or aids used in production because they have not been determined to change the health or safety of the food products.
