These two American greats found their way into the spotlight for a very important reason. They’re health-conscious when it comes to antibiotic use in meat and poultry products.
Experts say that 2 million Americans contract antibiotic-resistant infections yearly. Even more terrifying, 23,000 people die from these infections. The issue is so serious that the World Health Organization (WHO) actually referred to the impending reality of a post-antibiotic era in a statement. In the statement, it said that this era will reflect a time in which “common infections and minor injuries can kill.” In fact, they said that this is “far from being an apocalyptic fantasy.” Instead, it says it is “a very real possibility for the 21st Century.”
The Facts About Antibiotics and Meat
This is where Panera and Chipotle received three cheers from antibiotic-free meat activists. In 2015, consumers were astounded when a report issued by Friends of the Earth and several other public interest organizations blew the roof off of 23 of the 25 largest fast-food and “fast-casual” restaurants in America. That’s because the report revealed that many of these American greats were either using antibiotics in meat products or had unclear policies.
The report cited concerns about a terrifying fact. Many of these American favorites use meat that “comes from animals raised in industrial-scale facilities where they are routinely fed antibiotics.”
Livestock disease prevention and accelerated growth are reasons behind antibiotic use in meat. It sounds like no big deal, but the health implications of the practice are significant. First, bacteria can become resistant. This is said to fuel the global and domestic problem of antibiotic resistance that the world already faces.