McDonald’s update on antibiotics policy hit as weaker approach

McDonald’s Corp. has finally updated its antibiotics policy that calls for reduced antibiotic usage after a two-year delay.

The fast-food giant’s new policy revealed in Decemebr follows guidelines set out by the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health, and other public and animal health groups.

According to McDonald’s, they will focus on the responsible use of medically important antibiotics and be aligned with WHO Guidelines on Antimicrobial Resistance.

The company added that its policy does not permit the routine use of medically important antibiotics for growth promotion or tdisease prevention.

It is committed to usage reduction, where possible without adverse effects on animal health and welfare.

The company has established market-specific targets for the responsible use of antibiotics for 10 in-scope markets, representing over 80 percent of its global beef supply chain.

In 2023, McDonald’s plans to share an update on its antibiotic usage.

However, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) criticized McDonald’s for failing to detail a rollout plan or a completion date to ensure accountability across the supply chain.

According to Lena Brook, director of food campaigns at NRDC, it is especially disappointing given that McDonald’s, the world’s largest beef buyer, chose optics over substance with its new beef policy update despite the urgency of the global antibiotic resistance crisis.

McDonald’s earned a grade of C from the NDRC for its previous policy. NDRC called McDonald’s updated policy a “new, weaker approach.”