New Report shows major food chains with antibiotics in meat

Restaurant chains were given grades based on the use of antibiotics in their meats. Unfortunately, 20/25 top restaurant chains were given an "F" in the report released Tuesday by environmental and consumer advocacy groups.

data-mce-style="margin: 0; padding: 0; font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt; word-wrap: break-word;" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; word-wrap: break-word;">LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (Catholic Online) - The report, titled Chain Reaction: How Top Restaurants Rate on Reducing Antibiotics to their Meat Supply, included a scorecard of American fast food chains and research that pointed toward the use of human antibiotics to treat animals raised for food.

The report reads, "The prevalence of antibiotic misuse and overuse in U.S. meat production reflects a broader tendency of poor farm management and animal welfare practices in industrial U.S. ... Major U.S. restaurant chains can make an important contribution to tackling antibiotic resistance by working with their meat and poultry suppliers to reduce routine use of antibiotics."

The only chains to receive an "A" were Panera Bread and Chipotle Mexican Grill, both of which started to take steps to eliminate antibiotic-use in their meats years ago.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) reported a higher demand of meat raised without the routine use of antibiotics, particularly chicken. Chipotle began to serve antibiotic-free pork in 2000, chicken in 2002 and beef in 2003.

Chipotle's website claims, "We're all about simple, fresh food without artificial flavors or fillers. Just genuine raw ingredients and their individual, delectable flavors ... We care deeply about where our ingredients come from ... There's no place for nontherapeutic antibiotics and synthetic hormones on the farms that produce out ingredients."

Panera Bread's announced their reasons for switching to antibiotic-free poultry on their website.

They reported the potential for antibiotic-resistent bacteria, FDA and scientist research, animal welfare, the farmer's perspectives and finally their own reasons for using antibiotic-free poultry.

John Taylor, a member of Panera Bread's Food Team, said, "One of the things we've learned is that simpler is often better when it comes to food. The antibiotic-free chicken and roasted turkey we use in our salads and many of our sandwiches we believe tastes better because it is poultry as it was meant to taste: clean and simple."

Chick-fil-A and McDonald's announced plans to switch to antibiotic-free meats in February 2014 and March of this year respectively. Chick-fil-A earned a "B" while McDonald's received a "C" for continuing the use of antibiotics for "disease prevention" in pork and beef products.

McDonald's has not released public reports of the current percentage of poultry served that has been raised without the use of routine antibiotics.

Director of the Value Meal campaign at Corporate Accountability International, Sriram Madhusoodanan, said McDonald's is the nation's top purchaser of beef and pork and should do more to eliminate the use of antibiotics in livestock.

McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook's mantra was referenced when Madhusoodanan said, "If the corporation were serious about becoming a 'modern progressive burger company,' it would immediately implement a strong, accountable and transparent antibiotics policy across its supply chain."

Starbucks announced they would limit the use of antibiotic-infused meats back in 2009 but received an "F" in the report.

Starbucks said, "Even though we purchase a limited amount of meat, we are working with our suppliers to address concerns about antibiotic use and are looking to collaborate with others across our industry and in the NGO community to promote best practices on this issue."

Twenty of the 25 chains have no disclosed policies on antibiotic use or have policies that allow for the routine use of antibiotics in the meats they serve.

The report can be read in pdf form here.

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