John,

They're calling it a "new era at Panera." But don't let the menu makeover deceive you. Panera may be introducing new soups and sandwiches, but it's also reintroducing antibiotics in its meat supply.1

By backsliding on its "No Antibiotics Ever" commitment, Panera is needlessly introducing the routine use of antibiotics on its farm-raised meat supply, which threatens the future effectiveness of these life-saving medicines and puts our health at risk.

Tell Panera: Recommit to a "No Antibiotics Ever" policy and extend that policy to all of your meat suppliers.

In late February, Panera stores across the U.S. began quietly removing signs and artwork throughout the restaurant that included the phrase "No Antibiotics Ever."2 Why? Because Panera will begin allowing some of its pork and turkey products to come from pigs and turkeys raised on routine antibiotics -- unless we do something about it.3

Animals raised for food on factory farms that are routinely given antibiotics important for human health can give rise to antibiotic-resistant superbugs, which can then spread to human populations.

Panera's decision undermines public health and sends a misleading message to the food industry: It's OK to let antibiotics back into menu items.

The exact opposite is true.

As many as 160,000 Americans die from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria every year.4

By backtracking on its "No Antibiotics Ever" commitment, Panera jeopardizes our health by failing to prevent the development of dangerous drug-resistant "superbugs." We can't let that happen.

Will you sign our petition urging Panera to require all of its meat suppliers to eliminate routine antibiotic use?

Overusing antibiotics breeds bacteria resistant to those antibiotics, threatening the future effectiveness of these medicines and putting our health at risk.

That's because when bacteria are repeatedly exposed to antibiotics, they can adapt to survive them, breeding antibiotic-resistant "superbug" strains of bacteria. These infections are especially difficult, and in some cases, impossible to treat.5

Despite that, meat producers are using the drugs to routinely compensate for stressful, unsanitary, and overcrowded conditions, not to treat sick animals.6

Panera can and should do better. The decision to allow antibiotics in the meats it serves completely contradicts the company's mission, "One Panera for a healthier and happier world."7

By allowing antibiotics to be fed to animals raised for its meat supply, Panera raises the likelihood of antibiotic-resistant bacteria festering on the farms that supply meats to the restaurant chain.

Tell Panera today: Don't let your meat suppliers use antibiotics.

With your help, we can make real change. Thanks to your support, we've already helped convince fast food giants such as Wendy's, Subway and KFC to commit to no longer serving chicken raised with the routine use of antibiotics.

Now, PIRG advocates and supporters have the chance to do it again.

Thank you for protecting public health,

Faye Park
President

1. Waylon Cunningham, "Exclusive: Panera loosens ingredients standards ahead of IPO, internal documents show," Reuters, March 6, 2024.
2. Waylon Cunningham, "Exclusive: Panera loosens ingredients standards ahead of IPO, internal documents show," Reuters, March 6, 2024.
3. Waylon Cunningham, "Exclusive: Panera loosens ingredients standards ahead of IPO, internal documents show," Reuters, March 6, 2024.
4. Matt Wellington,"Why consider buying antibiotic-free meat," U.S. PIRG, October 31, 2022.
5. "How Antimicrobial Resistance Happens," Center for Disease Control, last accessed March 19, 2024.
6. "Superbugs in Stock," U.S. PIRG, October 13, 2022.
7. "Corporate Responsibility," Panera Bread, last accessed March 19, 2024.

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