Antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" kill at least 35,000 Americans every year -- and the clock is ticking on the commitment McDonald's made three years ago to help solve this problem by tackling the overuse of antibiotics in its beef supply chain. Tell McDonald's: Help keep our lifesaving medicines effective. TAKE ACTION:
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Friend,

Three years ago, we won a commitment from McDonald's -- the world's largest purchaser of beef -- to reduce the overuse of antibiotics in its beef supply chain.[1]

Now, though, it's time to make sure McDonald's follows through.

Antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" kill at least 35,000 Americans every year, with one estimate saying it could be as many as 162,000.[2,3] One of the primary ways these diseases develop is through the overuse of our medically important antibiotics in animal agriculture.[4]

Tell McDonald's: It's time to follow through on your commitment to help keep our lifesaving medicines effective.
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The antibiotic-resistant infections that sicken nearly 3 million Americans each year are only getting more prevalent. By 2050, experts estimate that 10 million people a year could die globally from drug-resistant diseases.[5]

If we want to keep our antibiotics effective, we shouldn't be routinely giving them to food animals, especially ones that aren't even sick.

In 2018, our research partners at U.S. PIRG Education Fund held an event outside of McDonald's headquarters to release a report grading the top 25 U.S. burger chains on their antibiotics policies for the beef they source. After McDonald's received an "F," the company responded on Twitter and in the media that it would set reduction targets for the use of medically important antibiotics across much of its beef supply chain by the end of 2020.[6]

But that deadline has come and gone, with no word from McDonald's on what the targets are -- and the clock is ticking. Add your name to urge McDonald's to keep its word and reduce the use of medically important antibiotics in its beef supply chain.
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Research continues to point to the urgency of addressing the overuse of antibiotics. Recent findings have revealed that livestock workers face an even higher risk of picking up a potentially dangerous strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria than previously thought.[7]

But McDonald's represents the dramatic potential of the food industry to help solve this problem. By setting strong reduction targets for antibiotic use, McDonald's can set a new standard that competitors such as Wendy's and Burger King can and should strive to match. Bold action from these major industry figures would have a huge effect on the use of antibiotics on farms across the country, helping to preserve these lifesaving medicines for future generations.

But that can only happen if McDonald's holds to the commitment it made in the first place. The company needs to know where Americans stand on this issue -- send your message to McDonald's 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 March 4, 2021.
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3. "New Estimate of Annual Deaths Caused by Treatment Resistant Infections Highlights Gaps in Research, Stewardship, Surveillance," Infectious Diseases Society of America, December 3, 2018.
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4. "Stop the overuse of antibiotics," U.S. PIRG, last accessed June 10, 2021.
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5. "New report calls for urgent action to avert antimicrobial resistance crisis," World Health Organization, April 29, 2019.
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6. "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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7. Matt Davenport, "Livestock workers face high MRSA risk," Michigan State University, January 14, 2021.
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