McDonald’s is about to do something big — like, changing-the-fast-food-game big. The company announced on December 11th that it will reduce its use of antibiotics across 85% of their beef supply chain. The hope is that this will put massive pressure on their competitors to do the same.
At the present, beef suppliers oftentimes give antibiotics to their cattle while on the feedlot or during transportation between ranch and feedlot. Although weaker bacteria gets killed off by the antibiotics, stronger bacterias resist and evolve. When we eat meat that is contaminated with these antibiotic-resistant bacterias, we are at risk of contracting an antibiotic-resistant infection.
According to NPR, 2 million people get diagnosed with an antibiotic-resistant infection each year in the U.S. Of those diagnosed, 23,000 die.
Per Food & Wine, McDonald’s global vice president of sustainability, Keith Kenny, said, “McDonald’s believes antibiotic resistance is a critical public health issue, and we take serious our unique position to use our scale for good to continue to address this challenge. We are excited to partner with our beef supply chain around the world to accelerate the responsible use of antibiotics, whilst continuing to look after the health and welfare of those animals in our supply chain.”
The more antibiotics are given to livestock, the faster bacteria can become resistant to it –– which could render the drugs ineffective for people, experts say.
— NPR (@NPR) December 11, 2018
So, McDonald's has vowed to reduce the use of antibiotics in its global beef supply. https://t.co/x9vMcIhlod
According to Kenny, the first step in this process is to gain a firm understanding of current antibiotic usage within the McDonald’s beef network. By 2020, the McDonald’s sustainability teams hopes to have a clear goal in mind and can then set a plan into motion to decrease usage and create transparency between restaurant and supplier.
And by 2022, McDonald’s “will be reporting progress against antibiotic reduction targets across our top 10 beef sourcing markets,” Kenny stated.
.@McDonalds is the largest purchaser of beef in the U.S. With 70% of medically important #antibiotics sold to food-producing animals, McDonald’s commitment to reduce antibiotic use in its beef supply should spark industry-wide change toward responsible antibiotic use. pic.twitter.com/lzW9aYvuaI
— MASSPIRG (@MASSPIRG) December 11, 2018
McDonald’s has been aware of and working toward lessening antibiotic usage within their meats since 2003. In 2016, the fast food chain began serving antibiotic-free chicken in the U.S. And McDonald’s will also be teaming up with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Antimicrobial Resistance Challenge, “a yearlong effort to accelerate the fight against antimicrobial resistance across the globe,” according to Food & Wine.
Mickey D’s is doing a huge thing here, and other fast food companies need to take note.
And while we wait for the new and improved burger, here are some really great tweets about McDonald’s:
Don’t you love when you chicken nuggets come in really fun shapes?
I found a chicken nugget that looks like the millennium falcon @McDonalds pic.twitter.com/J2SXKW6UaA
— Cooper Cox (@CooperCox17) December 13, 2018
You had one job. ONE JOB.
Really @McDonalds?!
— Nicole Mysinger-Duty (@nicole_duty) December 13, 2018
It's called a burger for a reason....you had one job to do. pic.twitter.com/QzXsFBFN0O
At least the patty is in the shape of a heart.
@McDonalds where is my mayo & my lettuce 😏 pic.twitter.com/2JsPJdc4L1
— Gracie Lilian Muñoz🍒 (@agracelilian) December 13, 2018
We hope not, but lol.
What its like working a shift in McDonalds pic.twitter.com/8hwnUX8ac3
— Not Bethan (@bethcarverr) December 13, 2018
We did not know this about Sprite.
mcdonalds sprite rly will electrocute you
— 4🅿️4PF (@amadijuana) December 13, 2018
This tweet is felt on a spiritual level.
Bring back the Hi-C, McDonald’s!!!
The struggle is real.
When you enter the drive thru line at McDonalds without noticing how long it is and decide to leave but realize you're trapped in pic.twitter.com/rA0lvWfjO2
— tyde (@woodsborodesign) December 13, 2018
