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| Antibiotics are critical to effective disease control for both humans and animals. Overuse can reduce their effectiveness because it promotes resistance in disease-causing bacteria. To help address the problem, we have established a global policy on antibiotic use in food animals. As with all our responsible purchasing initiatives, this policy aims to foster real, tangible changes in our own supply community and beyond. |
Antibiotic Resistance
Scientific evidence shows that, over time, disease-causing bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics that were formerly effective against them. The relevant science is still evolving, but there is an increasing consensus that overuse of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance. Research links antibiotic resistance to antibiotic misuse in humans. There are also reputable studies linking antibiotic resistance in bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses and use of antibiotics in animal production.
Today, antibiotics are sometimes fed to healthy animals to promote growth. Eliminating the use of antibiotics for growth promotion will help sustain their long-term effectiveness in preventing, controlling, and treating diseases. |
McDonald's Global Antibiotics Policy
McDonald’s global antibiotics policy is intended to complement ongoing scientific and regulatory efforts to address the problem of antibiotic resistance. The policy was developed in consultation with a variety of experts, including physicians, animal health and welfare specialists, environmentalists, suppliers, and food retailers.
The requirements of the policy apply to all “direct relationship” poultry suppliers—that is, those that have facilities dedicated to producing products for the McDonald’s System and control the stages of production where antibiotics are most likely to be used. Most of our direct relationship poultry suppliers are in North America and Europe.
Direct relationship poultry suppliers must: |
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- Refrain from using, for the purpose of growth promotion, antibiotics that belong to classes of compounds approved for use in human medicine.
- Follow specific Guiding Principles for Sustainable Use.
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| For other suppliers, the policy indicates that voluntary compliance will be a favorable factor in future purchasing decisions. In 2005, Smithfield, one of our major pork suppliers, voluntarily adopted the Guiding Principles. |
Further Steps
In 2005, we launched an implementation program for the policy and are now working on measures to strengthen it. We are also seeking opportunities to accelerate adoption of similar policies and programs by other companies. We believe it is critical to collaborate with others to sustain antibiotic effectiveness.
We know that scientific research on antibiotic resistance continues and plan to update our policy and procedures as necessary to keep pace with increased scientific understanding and regulatory developments.
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