News

Study: Twice as many chains now banning antibiotic-fed meats

September 20, 2016

Consumers have demanded that chains stop using antibiotic-fed meat, and it appears that the fast food industry is listening. Nearly twice as many fast-food chains have banned antibiotic-fed meats this year, compared to last year, according to a report from five U.S. organizations committed to consumer food safety and environmental concerns. The study, released today, is a combined effort of the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Food Animal Concerns Trust, Friends of the Earth, Consumers Union of Consumer Reports and the Center for Food Safety.

The second annual report — which grades the top chains on system-wide policies around antibiotic use in the meats they serve — shows that nine chains earned passing grades this year, including:  

• Chick-fil-A
• Chipotle
• McDonald’s 
• Panera
• Papa John’s
• Pizza Hut 
• Subway 
• Taco Bell
• Wendy’s 

Only five made the list last year. 

The report come the day before the U.N. General Assembly meets on the issue of global antimicrobial resistance, which scientists believe is the result of overuse and misuse of antibiotics in healthcare and livestock cultivation. 

Top achievers in restaurant action on this issue include Panera and Chipotle, which have both put comprehensive policies in place to restrict antibiotic-raised meat and poultry system-wide. Subway made the most progress in the survey over the last year, jumping to a B grade from F last year after the chain committed to ending all use of antibiotic-raised meats by 2025.

Dunkin’ Donuts was the only brand to fall in its grade in the report, after it was downgraded to an F when the chain actually weakened its antibiotic policy. Other failing grades were given to Applebee’s, Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Burger King, Chili’s, Dairy Queen, Denny’s, Domino’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, IHOP, Jack in the Box, KFC, Little Caesars, Olive Garden, Sonic and Starbucks, all of which either did not disclose their policy on the issue or allowed for antibiotic use in meat and poultry. 

In livestock production, antibiotics are used to speed animal growth and support their overall health on sometimes dirty and crowded farms, according to the organizations. The medical community has also been accused of over-prescribing antibiotics in unnecessary situations. 
As a result, studies indicate that about 2 million Americans suffer life-threatening antibiotic-resistant infections annually, while at least 23,000 people die each year as a result, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In fact, the news release about the study said earlier this year scientists uncovered a gene that allows bacteria to resist one of the so-called "last-resort" antibiotics, meaning the medical community may soon no longer be able to fight these types of resistant infections with any of our known drugs. 

"This year’s progress is encouraging, but companies and consumers can only move the dial so far — it is time for the U.S. government to step up and mandate reductions in antibiotic use for the industry writ large. Without strong, enforceable regulations for antibiotic use in place, there is undue burden on the public to hold companies to their commitments, and to pressure the laggards in the industry to stop dragging their feet," said Senior Manager for Organic and Animal Policy at the Center for Food Safety Cameron Harsh, in a news release.