The Marin Post

16 companies received an “F” for failing to take action to curb the use of routine antibiotics in their meat and poultry. Tell them to step up to the plate. Sign the Petition! »

Supporter,

Today, Center for Food Safety, Consumers Union, Friends of the Earth and others released the 2nd annual Chain Reaction report¹ ranking the top 25 U.S. restaurant chains on their antibiotics policies.

Antibiotic resistance is a global health crisis, driven largely by overuse and misuse of antibiotics. In fact, the United Nations will meet tomorrow to discuss the issue and commit to specific actions. But, political conversations too often focus on identifying ways to reduce overuse of antibiotics in human health. There is significantly less willingness to tackle their overuse in animals raised for food, despite the fact that roughly 80 percent of all antibiotics sold in the U.S. are used on farm animals. That is why activists and consumers have rallied together to engage the restaurant industry and encourage companies to reduce the use of antibiotics in their supply chains.

Sixteen companies received an “F” in this year’s scorecard. Sign the petition urging them to rid their meat and poultry of routine antibiotics >>

Since last year, Subway, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Papa John’s have all announced some commitment to address routine use of antibiotics. A few have even begun putting their new policies into action. McDonald’s, who in 2015 announced plans to eliminate routine use of medically-important antibiotics in their chicken, converted 100% of their chicken supply to comply with their policy this year.

But, aside from the two pioneers, Panera and Chipotle, the few companies that have acted to date have made commitments or taken steps that apply only to their chicken supply. Similar initiatives have yet to develop for beef, pork, or turkey.

All in all, 9 companies received passing grades this year, compared to 4 in last year’s report. That still leaves 16 companies that have taken no public action to date to address antibiotics use by their meat and poultry suppliers.

Tell these failing companies to get routine antibiotics out of our food >>

Thanks for everything you do,
The Center for Food Safety team

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1. Read the report - Chain Reaction: How Top Restaurants Rate on Reducing Use of Antibiotics in Their Meat Supply