Curbing the use of antibiotics used in poultry and meat has been a constant demand for consumer groups and others in recent years.
Curbing the use of antibiotics used in poultry and meat has been a constant demand for consumer groups and others in recent years.
Growing more aware of their menu choices, consumers across the U.S., aided by activist groups, the medical community and environmental groups, have made their voice heard with view to curbing the use of antibiotics in poultry and meat.
Facing growing pressure, restaurants and fast-food chains have pledged to meet these requirements and reform their businesses. Still, commercial meat used here continues to be grown with the aid of antibiotics.
A new report published on Tuesday graded 25 fast-food chains in the U.S. regarding their use of antibiotics-grown poultry and meat. Perhaps unsurprisingly, 20 of the 25 fast-food chains ranked on the last position together. Only two received a maximum grade regarding their successful efforts for curbing the use of antibiotics in poultry and meat. Overall, five fast-food chains passed the grading test.
These are Panera, Chipotle, Dunkin Donuts, McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A. Of these, the first two are the only two fast-food chains that received A grading.
Changing the policies regarding antibiotic-grown meat in the supply chain isn’t an easy task. Nonetheless, it’s necessary if we are to avoid a severe public health issue that is already showing its first signs.
Farmers use antibiotics to prevent livestock from getting ill while promoting artificial growth. According to the CDC, approximately 80 percent of the antibiotics sold in the U.S. go to farms. Not only is this harmful for livestock on the long run, but for humans as well as bacteria resistant to antibiotics is starting to develop.
The antibiotic-resistant superbugs could well affect livestock as much as humans. According to the CDC, there are already two million U.S. citizens yearly who are infected by such antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The WHO has also warned against these practices and presented curbing the use of antibiotics in poultry and meat as a solution in a 2014 report.
If you’re curious about the F graded fast-food chains, here’s a list: Applebee’s, Arby’s, Burger King, Chili’s, Dairy Queen, Denny’s, Domino’s, IHOP, Jack in the Box, KFC, Little Caesars, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse Grill and Bar, Papa John’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, Sonic, Starbucks, Subway, Taco Bell, and Wendy’s.
Photo Credits: Pixabay
