McDonald’s says it will reduce the use of antibiotics in its beef around the world. Like many others, the restaurant chain uses antibiotics to treat sick animals in its supply chain. With a policy announced Tuesday, McDonald’s plans to reduce—but not stop—the use of antibiotics to human health in 10 countries from which it sources more than 85% of its beef, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. According to the World Health Organization, the overuse and misuse of certain antibiotics make them less effective at treating human diseases.
The reduction won’t happen right away. McDonald’s says there is “limited antibiotic usage data available across the global beef industry”, and this month, the company is establishing regional pilot tests to determine the proper amount of the antibiotics in each of the 10 countries.
The burger chain says it expects to achieve the reduction in the use of the antibiotics by taking three key steps. First, it won’t permit the use of important antibiotics to grow bigger animals. Second, it won’t permit the routine use of the antibiotics to prevent infectious diseases. Third, it won’t permit the use of the antibiotics to control the spread of infectious diseases in herds. The policy encourages beef producers to use the antibiotics as a last choice.
In October, 2018, the National Resources Defense Council graded 25 US burger chains on their antibiotic policies. McDonald’s got an F grade. The organization said, “This sends a clear market signal to beef producers worldwide. Nobody in the world sells more burgers than McDonald’s, and their actions can shape the future of the industry. With Washington asleep at the wheel on this rising health threat, leadership in the marketplace is playing a large role. We will be watching with great interest to see how this policy works.”
本时文内容由奇速英语国际教育研究院原创编写,未经书面授权,禁止复制和任何商 业用途,版权所有,侵权必究!(投稿及合作联系:微信:13350077298 QQ:757722345)