Soon, Perdue chicken products and meat could have a new listing on the label.
A measure in Annapolis would require identifying any antibiotics the animal was given while alive.
State Senator Ronald Young (D-Washington), one of the co-sponsors of the legislation, said that many people do not like to buy meet that has been treated with antibiotics.
That labeling would cover antibiotics given individually for a diagnosed disease and in mass to prevent illness among the flock and to bolster growth.
The US Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service currently requires a period in which the animal cannot be given antibiotics before being slaughtered.
But there are still concerns.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture has twice investigated two cases of high levels of antibiotics in meat and poultry.
Bill Satterfield, executive director of Delmarva Poultry Industry Incorporated, is against the measure which would require not only labeling but would ban certain antibiotics from livestock and poultry.
He said there does not seem to be any consumer or health problem to prompt the legislation.
He believes it would put Maryland poultry and meat producers at a disadvantage to those in surrounding states.
