International

McDonald's announces new antibiotic policy for beef

Beef

McDonald’s has launched a policy to reduce the overall use of antibiotics important to human health, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), which applies across 85% of our global beef supply chain.

Posted on Dec 12 ,06:56

McDonald’s understands that reducing the overall use of medically important antibiotics in beef is complex and cannot be accomplished overnight. Additionally, there is limited antibiotic usage data available across the global beef industry. That is why, in collaboration with our suppliers and beef producers, we are taking a strategic and phased approach:

First, McDonald’s is partnering with supplying beef producers in our top 10 beef sourcing markets to measure and understand current usage of antibiotics across a diverse, global supply chain;
By the end of 2020, based on what we have learned, we will establish reduction targets for medically important antibiotics for these markets; and
Starting in 2022 – we will be reporting progress against antibiotic reduction targets across our top 10 beef sourcing markets. Full Policy Specifics Here.

McDonald’s has been developing this policy over the past year and a half, while consulting a cross-section of expert stakeholders from veterinarians, to public health leaders, to the beef producers responsible for taking care of the health of animals within the supply chain every day.

Our overall approach to responsible use of antibiotics focuses on refining their selection and administration, reducing their use, and ultimately replacing antibiotics with long-term solutions to prevent diseases and protect animal health and welfare.

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