The results are in, and they show that Walmart is lagging way behind in the fight to slow the growth of dangerous antibiotic-resistant "superbugs." Send a message to CEO Doug McMillon: Help protect public health by eliminating routine antibiotic use from your private meat supply chains. TAKE ACTION:
[link removed]

Friend,

Walmart received an "F" in a recent report grading supermarkets' antibiotics policies for their privately labeled meat.[1]

That's a major threat to public health, since we know the routine use of antibiotics in meat production gives rise to antibiotic-resistant "superbugs."

We can't afford to let grocers such as Walmart sit on the sidelines in the effort to keep our lifesaving antibiotics effective. Will you sign our petition urging the retail giant to eliminate routine antibiotic use from its private meat supply chains?
[link removed]

Imagine a world without effective antibiotics. Common infections would once again be deadly, and medical advancements such as cancer chemotherapy, surgical procedures and more would be in jeopardy.

It's a world that, without strong action to protect our lifesaving antibiotics, we could soon be living in. One estimate indicates that as many as 160,000 Americans already die annually from infections that current drugs cannot treat.

Since these dangerous "superbugs" typically arise when bacteria mutate to evade the medicines targeting them, antibiotics must be used sparingly and responsibly. And yet, nearly two-thirds of the medically important antibiotics sold in the United States go to produce meat -- often being used to compensate for stressful, unsanitary and overcrowded conditions rather than treat sick animals.[2]

Major supermarkets including Walmart (the second-largest retailer in the entire world and a go-to grocery store for millions of Americans) can play a major role in keeping antibiotic resistance at bay.[3] That's why we're urging Walmart to source its private-label meat responsibly, without the routine use of antibiotics. Will you join us?

One thing we've learned over the past several years campaigning to end the overuse of antibiotics in meat production: Every voice matters.

The action and advocacy of people like you have already helped spark a sea change in the chicken industry: Nearly all of the largest chicken producers in the U.S. no longer use medically important antibiotics for "preventative" purposes in their supply chains.[4]

Unfortunately, the beef and pork industries have lagged behind -- and as a result, America's progress toward meaningful reductions in antibiotic use on factory farms is essentially at a standstill.[5]

Supermarkets, grocery stores and other major players in the meat industry can -- and must -- step up. If Walmart changes its lackluster antibiotics policies and takes action to stop the overuse of our lifesaving medicines in its meat supply chain, its competitors will be more likely to do the same.

Tell Walmart CEO Doug McMillon: Help lead the industry toward meat raised without routine antibiotics.
[link removed]

Thank you,

Faye Park
President

1. "Superbugs in Stock," PIRG, October 13, 2022.
[link removed]
2. "Superbugs in Stock," PIRG, October 13, 2022.
[link removed]
3. Lauren Debter, "The World's Largest Retailers 2022: Pandemic Helps Amazon Cement Its Lead," Forbes, May 12, 2022.
[link removed]
4. Matt Wellington, "And then there were none: Sanderson Farms joins other big chicken producers in curbing antibiotic use," PIRG, January 17, 2019.
[link removed]
5. Matt Wellington, "Statement: New FDA data shows little progress in limiting antibiotic overuse," PIRG, December 12, 2022.
[link removed]




-----------------------------------------------------------

Donate Today: [link removed]

Join us on Facebook: [link removed]
Follow us on Twitter: [link removed]

U.S. PIRG
Main Office: 1543 Wazee St., Suite 460, Denver, CO 80202, (303) 801-0582
Federal Advocacy Office: 600 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, 4th Fl., Washington, DC 20003, (202) 546-9707
Member Questions or Requests: 1-800-838-6554.

If you want us to stop sending you email then follow this link:
[link removed]