The soaring demand for meat across the world is running parallel with an elevated amount of antimicrobial drugs being used in pork, beef and poultry.

Researchers say that people are making more money and want to eat more meat. One way to make more meat is for cattle ranchers to use more antibiotics, according to the Huffington Post.

The antibiotics used function in two ways. First, they help fatten up livestock at a faster rate. Second, they keep animals “healthy” despite being raised in overcrowded, filthy conditions where disease spreads easily.

Pork, in particular, is picking up in demand. In order to keep up with that demand, pig farmers are using four times as much antibiotics per pound of meat. Poultry is right behind in a close second.

Researchers expect that the amount of antibiotics used to raise livestock will increase dramatically. In 2010, farmers around the world already used more than 63,000 tons of antibiotics with an estimate of 105,000 tons by the year 2030.

The consumption of antibiotic-fed meat is a major threat to humanity. The exposure to human antibiotics through meat has given rise to antibiotic-resistant “superbugs”. Researchers predict that this could kill up to 10 million people worldwide by 2050 if left unchecked.

An awareness of the threat grows and some companies are responding. Last year, chicken chain Chick-fil-A removed all antibiotics from its chicken. And Chipotle still remains the food industry’s poster child for antibiotic-free meat. Earlier this year the chain even suffered a pork shortage after discovering unacceptable conditions with its supplier.

Even McDonald’s jumped on board. Earlier this month the company vowed to remove human antibiotics from its chicken supply. They will, however, still be using animal antibiotics in the chicken and human drugs will remain in their beef and pork products.

But without a demand from customers for more antibiotic-free meat, the industry most likely will continue on the current path. And as of now, legislation has done little to prevent the growth of the use of antibiotics in the United States.

But with the demand of more organic and antibiotic-free meats, comes an increase of price to the customer that not everyone can afford.