McDonalds wants ‘clean’ chicken

McDonalds USA had announced that it will only source chicken raised without antibiotics that are important to human medicine. All of the chicken served at McDonald’s approximately 14,000 U.S. restaurants comes from U.S. farms which are working closely with McDonald’s to implement the new antibiotics policy to the supply chain within the next two years.

The fastfood chain wil also offer its customers milk from cows that are not treated with growth hormones. The so-called new menu sourcing initiatives are meant to lure back customers from chains that put more emphasis on healthy products. “Our customers want food that they feel great about eating – all the way from the farm to the restaurant – and these moves take a step toward better delivering on those expectations,” said McDonald’s U.S President Mike Andres.

Reduce use of antibiotics in poultry supply

McDonald’s has been working closely with farmers for years to reduce the use of antibiotics in its poultry supply, the company said in a press release. This new policy supports the company’s new Global Vision for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Food Animals introduced this week, which builds on the company’s 2003 global antibiotics policy and includes supplier guidance on the thoughtful use of antibiotics in all food animals. “McDonald’s believes that any animals that become ill deserve appropriate veterinary care and our suppliers will continue to treat poultry with prescribed antibiotics, and then they will no longer be included in our food supply,” said Marion Gross, senior vice president of McDonald’s North America Supply Chain.

Continue to responsibly use ionophores

While McDonald’s will only source chicken raised without antibiotics important to human medicine, the farmers who supply chicken for its menu will continue to responsibly use ionophores, a type of antibiotic not used for humans that helps keep chickens healthy. “If fewer chickens get sick, then fewer chickens need to be treated with antibiotics that are important in human medicine. We believe this is an essential balance,” Gross added.