Fast food restaurants have a surprising part to play in stopping the rise of antibiotic-resistant "superbugs." Tell McDonald's to protect our health by honoring its commitment to reduce the use of antibiotics in its beef supply chain. TAKE ACTION:
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John,
It's been more than four years since PIRG helped win a commitment from McDonald's to reduce the use of antibiotics in its beef supply chain -- but the fast food giant has yet to follow through with a concrete timeline for meeting its goals.[1]
We need McDonald's to honor the commitment it made. Our health depends on it, because the overuse of antibiotics to raise cattle for beef is contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" that kill tens of thousands of Americans each year.[2]
The annual McDonald's shareholder meeting is just around the corner. Now's our chance to get the company's attention, and let them know we can't wait any longer for the company to keep its promises.
Take action today to urge McDonald's to follow through on its commitment to help keep our lifesaving medicines effective.
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What do fast food companies have to do with putting a stop to deadly antibiotic-resistant infections? There's a surprising -- but important -- connection.
Antibiotic medications work by killing bacteria, but every time they're used, there's a chance that some bacteria will survive. Those survivors can then reproduce into a whole new population that can't be killed by the antibiotic that was used.
Using antibiotics sparingly is critical to protecting public health. By only using these life-saving medicines when we really need them, we make it less likely that antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria that can cause deadly disease will develop.
But massive amounts of antibiotics are used to prevent infections in farm animals that are raised in unsanitary, overcrowded and stressful living conditions -- not just to treat animals that are actually sick.[3]
That's where McDonald's comes in. As a major purchaser of beef, the company can make real waves in the agriculture industry by refusing to buy from suppliers that misuse antibiotics to raise cattle.
It's time for the company to follow through on its promises and reduce the use of medically important antibiotics in its beef supply chains.
Add your name to tell McDonald's to keep its word and reduce the use of medically important antibiotics in its beef supply chain.
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When we speak up together, we know we can make our voices heard. We've already helped to transform the landscape of antibiotics in agriculture once before.
Antibiotic overuse was once rampant in the chicken industry. PIRG and its partners launched a years-long advocacy campaign to convince fast food giants like Subway and Wendy's to cut antibiotics out of their chicken supply chain -- and we won!
According to an industry survey, as of 2020 only 1% of U.S. broiler chickens were produced with "full-spectrum antibiotics," and more than half were raised with "no antibiotics ever."[4] This is a huge shift in the marketplace, and shows the power of grassroots advocacy.
But our work isn't over yet. The chicken industry was first, but the beef industry needs to be next.
McDonald's needs to do its part to stop the overuse of antibiotics. Add your name today.
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Thank you,
Faye Park
President
1. "McDonald's takes step to protect public health, commits to reduce medically important antibiotic use in beef supply," U.S. PIRG, December 11, 2018.
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2. "About Antibiotic Resistance," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last accessed May 18, 2023.
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3. Matthew Wellington, "When it comes to antibiotics, it's time to change how the sausage gets made," The Hill, February 3, 2022.
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4. Maryn McKenna, "Antibiotic Use in US Farm Animals Was Falling. Now It's Not.," Wired, December 14, 2021.
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