Unfortunately, as seen on The Hearty Soul, there are more antibiotics in the foods we eat than we can imagine. Moreover, a lot of these antibiotics have only limited research regarding their impact on human health. Conventional farming is known to administer antibiotics to animals and 16 percent of dairy cows in the U.S. are given antibiotics for treatment of infections whereas almost 100 percent for prevention of illnesses.
And, 88 percent of pigs in the U.S. receive antibiotics in their feeding to avert diseases and enhance growth. According to available estimates, around 25 million pounds of antibiotics are given for non-therapeutic purposes to pigs, cows, and chickens on a yearly basis!
Therefore, a recent report aims to show the public what they are actually eating when they head out to their favourite fast food chain.
Why Antibiotics in Meat Is not a Good Thing?
As explained on The Hearty Soul, excessive use of antibiotics in farming and agriculture is not just an issue in itself, but it is an indicator of an underlying concern with the modern-day meat industry. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics is a reflection of bigger issues like poor animal welfare and management of U.S. meat production.
The usage of antibiotics in the meat industry is a serious concern for the public health too. This practice aids in the creation of drug-resistant superbugs and the largest chain restaurants in the U.S. can be part of the issue or part of the remedy. Namely, it is important that restaurants advertising themselves as healthier options, like Subway, also have the responsibility of living up to that image by reducing the usage of antibiotics.
Unfortunately, the issue of antibiotic-resistant bugs has already become a serious threat and in the U.S. solely, 2 million people catch antibiotic-resistant infections on a yearly basis and sadly, 23000 of these people die.
Chain Reaction II- A Revolutionary Project
This is the name of the second annual report providing the public with important information regarding the presence of antibiotics in the food they regularly consume. It is a collaboration between several organizations like Friends of the Earth and the Center for Food Safety. Each of the tested brands received a grade for their antibiotic policies and their implementation.
These two brands received an A grade:
- Panera Bread
- Chipotle
These brands received B or C grades:
- McDonald’s
- Wendy’s
- Taco Bell
- Subway
- Chick-fil-A
These brands received D grades:
- KFC
- Dunkin Donuts
- Sonic
- Olive Garden
- Denny’s
- Starbucks
- Jack in the Box
- Burger King
- Applebee’s
- Domino’s Pizza
- Chilis
- Little caesar’s
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Dairy Queen
- Arby’s
- IHOP
Final Thoughts
If you find meat to be an important part of your diet, make sure it is organic, i.e. raised without antibiotics or other growth hormones. Ask your butcher or farmer about the meat’s origin.
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