Exposed: The top fast food chains pumping your favorite meals with antibiotics - Is your favorite on the list?
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In an era where convenience often trumps quality, it's no surprise that fast food has become a staple in the American diet.
But at what cost? A recent investigation has cast a spotlight on a concerning issue lurking beneath the sizzle of your favorite burger or the crunch of that chicken sandwich: the unknown use of antibiotics in the meat supplied to some of the nation's most popular fast food chains.
Antibiotics, as we know, shouldn’t be used without prescription because of the effects it has on our bodies. So, let’s take a deep dive into the fast food chains that use antibiotics–hopefully, your favorite one isn’t here!
The Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) has released a report that might make you rethink your next drive-thru order.
In a comprehensive analysis of America's beloved fast food joints, FACT has graded 16 out of 20 major chains with a concerning “C” or lower for their antibiotic policies—or lack thereof.
The use of antibiotics in livestock is a common practice to prevent disease and promote growth, but it comes with a hefty side effect: the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
For the recent FACT investigation, authors studied company websites, annual reports, corporate sustainability reports and other publicly available information on company policies and summarized this information.
According to them, “In cases where we received no response from companies, we based our analyses on our initial summaries containing publicly available information and on a recheck of company websites.”
The report is a wake-up call for consumers and companies alike.
Five household names—Arby's, Sonic Drive-In, Dairy Queen, Olive Garden, and Little Caesars—received a failing “F” grade for having no clear policies on antibiotic use in their meat supplies. This lack of transparency and commitment to antibiotic stewardship raises questions about the potential long-term impacts on public health.
Some chains are making strides, albeit small ones.
Panda Express earned a “D-” for serving some antibiotic-free chicken, a step in the right direction.
Others, including Panera, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino's, and Dunkin', received a “D” for at least disclosing their antibiotic policies.
Popeyes, Taco Bell, Starbucks, Subway, and McDonald's managed “C” grades, indicating some effort to reduce antibiotic use.
On the brighter side, Chipotle and KFC stand out with “A” grades, having implemented meaningful antibiotic policies across all meat types they serve. Chipotle even earned an A+ for its stringent stance against Carbadox, a feed additive linked to cancer.
The overuse of antibiotics in food-producing animals is a direct contributor to the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant infections.
According to the CDC, these superbugs are responsible for more than 35,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, with some estimates suggesting the toll could be much higher.
By consuming meat from animals treated with excessive antibiotics, we might also become resistant to this bacteria. In 2013, a study reported that people who lived close to crop fields sprayed with pig manure fertilizer are at a higher risk of infection from the resistant bacteria MRSA.
Once the resistant bacteria is spread to humans, it can stay in our guts and cause:
In the US alone, around 2.8 million each year are infected with bacteria resistance to one or more of the antibiotics used to treat the infections.
According to Dr. Darin Detwiler, former USDA food expert, “Consumers can help address this issue by supporting responsible antibiotic use policies, choosing antibiotic-free meat products, and raising awareness about the risks, particularly for the most at-risk groups.”
Have you considered the antibiotic policies of your favorite fast food chains before? Will this report change your dining habits? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
But at what cost? A recent investigation has cast a spotlight on a concerning issue lurking beneath the sizzle of your favorite burger or the crunch of that chicken sandwich: the unknown use of antibiotics in the meat supplied to some of the nation's most popular fast food chains.
Antibiotics, as we know, shouldn’t be used without prescription because of the effects it has on our bodies. So, let’s take a deep dive into the fast food chains that use antibiotics–hopefully, your favorite one isn’t here!
The Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) has released a report that might make you rethink your next drive-thru order.
In a comprehensive analysis of America's beloved fast food joints, FACT has graded 16 out of 20 major chains with a concerning “C” or lower for their antibiotic policies—or lack thereof.
The overuse of antibiotics in meat production is a growing concern as it contributes to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing a significant threat to public health worldwide. Image source: Chipotle’s Mexican Grill, Arby’s, and Panda Express Philippines via Facebook.
The use of antibiotics in livestock is a common practice to prevent disease and promote growth, but it comes with a hefty side effect: the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
For the recent FACT investigation, authors studied company websites, annual reports, corporate sustainability reports and other publicly available information on company policies and summarized this information.
According to them, “In cases where we received no response from companies, we based our analyses on our initial summaries containing publicly available information and on a recheck of company websites.”
The report is a wake-up call for consumers and companies alike.
Five household names—Arby's, Sonic Drive-In, Dairy Queen, Olive Garden, and Little Caesars—received a failing “F” grade for having no clear policies on antibiotic use in their meat supplies. This lack of transparency and commitment to antibiotic stewardship raises questions about the potential long-term impacts on public health.
Some chains are making strides, albeit small ones.
Panda Express earned a “D-” for serving some antibiotic-free chicken, a step in the right direction.
Others, including Panera, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino's, and Dunkin', received a “D” for at least disclosing their antibiotic policies.
Popeyes, Taco Bell, Starbucks, Subway, and McDonald's managed “C” grades, indicating some effort to reduce antibiotic use.
On the brighter side, Chipotle and KFC stand out with “A” grades, having implemented meaningful antibiotic policies across all meat types they serve. Chipotle even earned an A+ for its stringent stance against Carbadox, a feed additive linked to cancer.
The overuse of antibiotics in food-producing animals is a direct contributor to the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant infections.
According to the CDC, these superbugs are responsible for more than 35,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, with some estimates suggesting the toll could be much higher.
By consuming meat from animals treated with excessive antibiotics, we might also become resistant to this bacteria. In 2013, a study reported that people who lived close to crop fields sprayed with pig manure fertilizer are at a higher risk of infection from the resistant bacteria MRSA.
Once the resistant bacteria is spread to humans, it can stay in our guts and cause:
- infections that would not have happened otherwise
- increased severity of infections, often including vomiting and diarrhea
- difficulty in treating infections and higher chances that treatments will fail
In the US alone, around 2.8 million each year are infected with bacteria resistance to one or more of the antibiotics used to treat the infections.
According to Dr. Darin Detwiler, former USDA food expert, “Consumers can help address this issue by supporting responsible antibiotic use policies, choosing antibiotic-free meat products, and raising awareness about the risks, particularly for the most at-risk groups.”
Have you considered the antibiotic policies of your favorite fast food chains before? Will this report change your dining habits? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
