You may not be loving it, but McDonald's should be applauded.
Hallelujah! McDonald's has announced a
huge change:
McDonald's Corp's U.S. restaurants will gradually stop buying chicken raised with antibiotics vital to fighting human infections, the most aggressive step by a major food company to force chicken producers to change practices in the fight against dangerous 'superbugs.'
The world's biggest restaurant chain announced on Wednesday that within two years McDonald's USA will only buy chickens raised without antibiotics that are important to human medicine. McDonald's policy will begin at the hatchery, where chicks are sometimes injected with antibiotics while still in the shell.
Scientists have been raising the alarm for years on the issue. The antibiotics in our food supply are doing
an enormous amount of damage:
Antibiotics in your meat: What's the big deal?
About 80% of antibiotics produced in the U.S. are given to farm animals. This practice is:
Bad for Human Health
- This overuse of antibiotics encourages the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria strains by giving bacteria resistant to the antibiotics a better chance of survival.
- Because the antibiotics we feed animals are similar to those for humans, the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria strains is a serious public health threat.
- Poultry products often carry at least one bacterial strain, and it is now increasingly likely that the bacteria in the meat you buy is an antibiotic-resistant strain.


Bad for the Environment
Nearly two trillion tons of animal waste are produced each year in America. This waste contains significant amounts of undigested antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can contaminate surface and ground water, harm natural ecosystems, and
eventually make their way back to humans.
Bad for Farm Animals
Animals on factory farms are given antibiotics to compensate for their crowded and unsanitary living conditions and to help them gain weight. Livestock allowed to lead more natural lives are healthier and need fewer antibiotics.
Regardless of how you feel about McDonald's food and labor issues, let's give credit where credit is due. This is a massive change and should be applauded. They are the
second largest purchaser of chicken in the world and this will make an impact. It'll not only be helpful for the environment, it should also apply new pressure to make the changes industry wide. So, for once - I am, indeed, "loving it."