Restaurant Chains Get Ranked on Their Use of Antibiotics

The iconic Whopper Sandwich from Burger King may taste good, but is it doing your body any good? Based on a recent U.S. PIRG report that ranks the top restaurants on their use of antibiotics, the answer is: no. According to CNBC, many of America’s favorite restaurants received “failing grades for their policies regarding antibiotics used in their beef supply.”

Out of the 22 scored restaurant chains featured in the report, only two scored within the A-range—Chipotle and Panera, both for their fifth year in a row. Fifteen restaurants—including Burger King, Olive Garden, Pizza Hut and Starbucks—were given a big fat F for not establishing policies to restrict antibiotic use in their beef supply. 

“Restaurants are committed to protecting the health and safety of our guests,” said National Restaurant Association Vice President of Advocacy Communications Jeff Solsby, according to CNBC. “This is a key reason why so many restaurants offer nutrition and ingredient information and are increasingly sharing animal welfare and supply chain policies—including the responsible use of antibiotics important to animal and human health.”

Chipotle’s website clearly states that although, “antibiotics and hormones are given to a majority of livestock to increase production,” the burrito-bowl chain only purchases meat from farmers who responsibly use antibiotics. Last year, McDonald’s earned an F, but this year they’ve turned that grade into a C after promising to “curb antibiotic use in its beef supply” in December of 2018.

Today’s consumers are demanding healthier and more sustainable offerings, which is why many restaurants, such as Subway and KFC, have been adding plant-based options to their menus. These rankings could serve as a reminder to failing restaurants to put food safety as a top priority.

You may want to get into the habit of double checking a food item’s nutritional information before inhaling it.

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