Major food companies are cutting back on antibiotics. Below are updated statements on antibiotic use by major restaurant chains and food service companies and poultry and natural meat producers. Also read the article "Poultry Industry Quietly Cuts Back on Antibiotic Use" from the New York Times.

Statements on Antibiotic Use by Major Restaurant Chains and Food Service Companies
Compiled by Keep Antibiotics Working as of September 2005.

Arby's
"Arby's LLC is committed (and always has been) to providing the public with a quality product that respects reasonable human health guidelines. We are, of course, aware of the recent controversy in our industry regarding the use of growth-promoting antibiotics in livestock. It has been Arby's practice to keep our meat-sourcing guidelines in sync with policy statements from government food safety agencies, and to inform our decisions with the advice of reputable scientists. All our antibiotic use decisions will be based on what is in the best interest of public health and food safety..."
     Letter to Union of Concerned Scientists, January 24, 2005

Bon Appétit
Bon Appétit food service company's Policy on Antibiotics Use in Food Animals, December 2003.

In fall 2005, Bon Appétit also implemented a procurement policy specific to turkey.

Chipotle Mexican Grill
"Chipotle Mexican Grill has begun using premium-quality, all-natural Bell & Evans chicken at all of its Washington, D.C. restaurants – a first for a quick-service company...Bell & Evans raises chickens without growth-stimulating or disease-masking antibiotics..."
     Chipotle news release, Feb. 17, 2003

“Chipotle, based in Denver, recently introduced gourmet pork in its 155 restaurants across the country in a bid to improve ingredient quality-and taste…. Free-range pigs ‘are not fed antibiotics…’ said [Chipotle founder Steve] Ells.”
     “Chipotle Tries Pork from Pigs Who Lived High on the Hog,” Rocky Mountain News, Aug. 15, 2001

Compass USA
Compass USA's (a food service company) Policy on Antibiotics Use in Food Animals, August 2005.

Dairy Queen
“Please know all approved suppliers of DQ/B chicken products are required to:
          1. Guarantee they produce our chicken products without the nontherapeutic use of all classes of medically important antibiotics.
          2. Guarantee they produce our chicken products without the use of fluoroquinolones.”
     Letter to Keep Antibiotics Working, August 20, 2002

Domino’s
“Pizza Broiler Chicken Purchasing Policy Statement
As part of its ongoing commitment to provide its customers with only top-quality products, Domino’s Pizza LLC works diligently with its suppliers to ensure they meet or exceed the company’s rigorous standards as they relate to food quality and safety.
Consistent with that practice, Domino’s Pizza LLC will only purchase broiler chicken products (the only type Domino’s purchases) from suppliers who guarantee they produce broilers without the nontherapeutic use of all classes of medically important antibiotics.
Further, Domino’s Pizza LLC will only purchase broiler chicken from suppliers who guarantee they produce chicken without the use of fluoroquinolones.”
     Letter to Keep Antibiotics Working, July 23, 2002

"Domino's Pizza published a statement regarding the nontherapeutic use of antibiotics and floroquinolone's in broiler chickens in July 2002...we have since met with our primary beef and pork suppliers and discussed publicizing our formal purchasing policy as it relates to our company's purchase of beef and pork. We have updated our purchasing policy and have posted it under the 'Domino's Cares' weblink. We will only purchase broiler chicken products from suppliers that confirm they produce broilers without the nontherapeutic use of all classes of medically important antibiotics. Further, Domino's Pizza will only purchase chicken products from suppliers who confirm they produce chicken without the use of fluoroquinolines.

Domino's will only purchase meat products from suppliers that confirm that the live animals used to derive our beef and pork products are healthy and the meat is safe and wholesome. Further, Domino's will only purchase beef and pork products from suppliers that: (1) provide same and wholesome products; (2) use only low risk animals; (3) emphasize animal husbandry, hygiene, and preventative practices; (4) emphasize the level of antibiotic use is limited."
     Letter to Union of Concerned Scientists, March 16, 2005

Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr., La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grills and Green Burrito Restaurants
"CKE Restaurants, Inc. is aware of the recent statement made by McDonald's Corporation on the use of antibiotics in the meat products in its supply chain. CKE Restaurants, Inc. does not support the systematic use of non-therapeutic medically important antibiotics in livestock and requires its meat suppliers to adhere to strict food safety requirements based on sound science. CKE Restaurants, Inc. is a leader in food safety and is committed to protecting the public's health while serving safe, quality food products."
     Letter to Keep Antibiotics Working, February 21, 2005

“The suppliers to CKE Restaurants, Inc., the parent company of Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr., La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grills and Green Burrito Restaurants, do not use any antibiotics for growth promotion or prophylactic purposes. All of our poultry suppliers have totally eliminated the use of fluoroquinolones. Our policy is to only purchase from suppliers who guarantee they produce chicken without the nontherapeutic use of medically important antibiotics. Additionally, we purchase poultry only from companies who guarantee they produce without the use of fluoroquinolones….CKE Restaurants, Inc. has always been a leader in food safety and we are committed to protecting the public’s health.”
     Letter to Keep Antibiotics Working, July 19, 2002

KFC
“KFC does not purchase poultry treated nontherapeutically with medically important antibiotics.”
     Letter to Keep Antibiotics Working, August 28, 2002

McDonald’s
“‘We’ve listened to the concerns, studied the issue, and the bottom line was we thought it was the right thing to do to discontinue the use of [fluoroquinolone antibiotics] in poultry,’ said Walt Riker, spokesman for Oak Brook-based McDonald's.”
     Walt Riker, McDonald’s, “Chickens Fed With Antibiotics McGone”, Chicago Sun-Times, Feb. 12, 2002

See McDonald's global policy on antibiotic use in food animals, June 2003. In April 2005, McDonald's Corporation reported the implementation of this policy on their website.

Panera Bread
"While other restaurant concepts or grocery stores may label poultry as all-natural, the chicken available at Panera Bread is of such a high quality that it dramatically exceeds the USDA's standards. According to the USDA, "all-natural" describes food that is "made without chemical food additives or refined ingredients." In addition to meeting these guidelines, the chicken at Panera comes from birds that have been raised in low-stress environments on all-natural, antibiotic-free and vegetarian diets."
     Panera Bread press release dated May 10, 2005.

Popeyes
“McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Popeyes are now refusing to buy chicken that has been treated with [fluoroquinolones].”
     “Poultry Industry Quietly Cuts Back on Antibiotic Use,” New York Times, Feb. 10, 2002

Ruby Tuesday
“Ruby Tuesday strongly discourages its vendors from using antibiotics belonging to classes of compounds approved for human medical use soley to promote growth in food stock.”
     Letter to the Union of Concerned Scientists, August 29, 2005

Subway
“We feel this is an important issue and will not knowingly buy chicken that has been treated with fluoroquinolones…Subway Restaurants has received statements from its chicken vendors who verify that they are not using fluoroquinolones antibiotics, nor are they using medically important antibiotics in healthy animals. Thank you for contacting us and letting us communicate our position. Good luck in your work to reduce antibiotic use!”
     Letter to Keep Antibiotics Working, April 24, 2002

T.G.I. Friday’s
“T.G.I. Friday’s timely introduction of an all-natural Angus burger resonates with today’s burger connoisseur and consumers who want the assurance of source-verified, all-natural hamburger…. The cattle are never administered hormones, antibiotics or animal byproducts.”
     T.G.I. Friday’s news release, Jul. 16, 2001

Wendy's
“Wendy's believes that antibiotics used in food animals should only be used for the prevention, control, and treatment of disease. Wendy's strictly prohibits the use of antibiotics for the sole purpose of growth promotion."
     Company website, accessed June 21, 2007

Statements on Antibiotic Use by Major Natural Meat and Poultry Producers
Compiled by Keep Antibiotics Working as of December 3, 2002 (updated May 13, 2005)
(printer-friendly version)

Tyson Foods
Springdale, AR
Poultry industry Ranking: #1

“Tyson Foods, Inc. is now producing all of its Tyson® brand fresh chicken from birds 'Raised Without Antibiotics'.”
     Tyson news release, June 19, 2007

“Tyson says it has cut back on antibiotics that are similar to those used on humans, and now uses only two when a flock is at risk of disease.”
     “Poultry Industry Quietly Cuts Back on Antibiotic Use,” New York Times, Feb. 10, 2002

Gold Kist Inc
Atlanta, GA
Poultry industry ranking: #2

“Gold Kist Inc., the nation’s second largest chicken processor, affirmed today that it will continue its policy of not using antibiotics of human health significance at non-therapeutic levels for its broiler chickens.”
     Gold Kist news release, May 17, 2002

“Gold Kist Inc.,.... today announced that it had discontinued its rare use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics in the production of broiler chickens. President and Chief Executive Officer John Bekkers said '....we are taking this action to assure our customers and consumers that Gold Kist Farms brand chicken is free of fluoroquinolones.’”
     Gold Kist news release, Feb. 21, 2002

ConAgra Poultry
Duluth, GA
Poultry industry ranking: #4

“ConAgra Poultry Company does not use any antibiotics for growth promotion or prophylactic purposes at any location. Some antibiotics may be used when absolutely necessary to treat systemic conditions in chickens, and never used on healthy flocks. ConAgra Poultry Company follows the FDA’s guidelines on feed and water withdrawal. ConAgra Poultry does not use fluoroquinolones. Excellent breeding and rearing practices have made the need for antibiotic usage minimal.”
     Company policy statement, Mar. 7, 2002

Perdue Farms
Salisbury, MD
Poultry industry ranking: #5

“Currently we are not using medically important antibiotics nontherapeutically that would be used in human medicine like penicillin, tetracycline and sulfonamides.... The primary reason is that we want to make absolutely sure if there is any question that we are in no way, shape or form contributing to antibiotic resistance in humans. We want to make sure there is no overuse.”
     Hank Engster, Vice President, Technical Services, Perdue Farms
     “Poultry Industry Quietly Cuts Back on Antibiotic Use,” New York Times, Feb. 10, 2002

“Perdue Incorporated has announced it will no longer use Fluoroquinolone antibiotics to treat any of its chicken or turkey flocks. The zero-tolerance policy takes effect immediately throughout the company and will be applicable to all breeder, broiler, Cornish, OVEN STUFFER® roaster and turkey flocks. Perdue believes it is the only major poultry company to totally eliminate the use of Fluoroquinolones.”
     Perdue press release, Feb. 26, 2002

Wayne Farms
Gainesville, GA
Poultry industry ranking: #6

“We do not use antibiotics of human health significance at sub-therapeutic levels, such as tetracyclines, penicillin, and sulfonamides in our poultry feeds. Less than 1% of our broilers receive therapeutic doses of antibiotics, and only for the treatment of acute disease.”
     Company policy statement, Mar. 7, 2002

Foster Farms
Livingston, CA
Poultry industry ranking: #9

“Foster Farms says it uses no antibiotics at all, except to treat sick birds.... Foster Farms does not use fluoroquinolones.”
     “Poultry Industry Quietly Cuts Back on Antibiotic Use,” New York Times, Feb. 10, 2002

"As part of our long-term commitment to natural poultry products, Foster Farms has been and continues to be prudent in the use of antibiotics. We know that consumers want natural, fresh delicious poultry and our continuously improving production practices have resulted in healthier flocks which naturally allows us to limit the use of antibiotics to disease treatment and prevention while discontinuing entirely the use of antibiotics solely intended for growth promotion. Foster Farms began several years ago to reduce the use of antibiotics and totally eliminated the use of antibiotics for growth promotion at the end of 2004. All use of antibiotics is restricted. Relative to the use of therapeutic antibiotics, less than 1% of all flocks would be treated."
     Company website, http://www.fosterfarms.com

Claxton
Claxton, GA
Poultry industry ranking: #19

“Our company has for sometime had a policy of only using antibiotics for the treatment of diagnosed illness within broiler flocks. However, as a result of your communication I have charged our line production department to make a complete review of our antibiotic use to insure that our policies are consistent with the Tyson and Perdue pledge. After this review I will notify you and your organization if our policy for antibiotic use does not go at least as far as Perdue and Tyson.”
    Jerry Lane, CEO, Company correspondence to Keep Antibiotics Working, Feb. 13, 2002

Bell & Evans
Fredericksburg, VA

“For years our Bell & Evans chickens have been raised without antibiotics, animal byproducts or animal fats. Unlike some others, our company strives to raise ALL of our chickens without the use of antibiotics and to demanding humane standards. Bell & Evans has had a Preharvest HACCP plan in place to certify this industry-leading performance.”
     Bruno S. Schmalhofer, CEO, Letter to the New York Times, Feb. 14, 2002

Murray’s Chickens
S. Fallsburg, NY

“Murray's 'All Natural Chickens' are raised without use of antibiotics, growth stimulants, pesticides, and hormones.”
     Company website, http://murrayschicken.com

Coleman Beef
"Coleman Purely Natural takes extra steps to ensure a natural end-to-end process, from the way the animals are raised and fed to how the land and animals are treated. That means no antibiotics ever, no added hormones ever, no preservatives ever, an all-vegetarian diet (no animal fat or by-products), a low-stress environment, and environmentally sound raising practices."
     Company website, accessed May 12, 2005

Laura’s Lean Beef
"Our all natural beef is raised on family farms without the use of antibiotics or growth hormones. We feed our cattle all natural grains and grasses, no animal by-products, and every head of cattle can be traced back to the producer."
     Company website, accessed May 12, 2005

Wegman’s private label
"No Hormones or Antibiotics from Birth: Animals carrying the Food You Feel Good About brand mature at their natural rate, feeding on mother’s milk and grass. When they reach a weight of 500 pounds, the cattle then get to feast on pure mid-western grains. It takes a bit longer for them to mature, but the result is superior taste and leaner meat. Throughout their lives, these animals benefit from “healthy animal practices” and a total wellness program that eliminates the need for antibiotics."
     Company website, accessed May 12, 2005

Whole Foods private label
"The Whole Foods Market standards for natural meat and poultry go far beyond what the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires for labeling meat or poultry as "natural." All of our meat and poultry offerings are minimally processed with no artificial additives or preservatives (as required by the USDA for "natural" labeling). In addition, Whole Foods Market goes even further by strictly monitoring how the animals are raised and what the animals are fed. Our standards ensure that the meat and poultry we sell are: raised without added hormones, raised without antibiotics, never fed animal by-products, raised by farmers and ranchers who care about the animals and the environment in which they live, closely monitored by Whole Foods Market from the farm to our stores to ensure compliance with our strict animal welfare and food safety quality standards.
     Company website, accessed May 12, 2005

Wild Oats private label
"It's not what we do that makes our meat the best tasting; it's what we don't do. At Wild Oats, we guarantee that the all-natural meat products we carry from our long-term suppliers are raised without antibiotics, artificial hormones and growth-promoting drugs. The result is pure, delicious flavor and superior quality you can trust."
     Company website, accessed May 12, 2005

Wolfe Neck Farm
"Our herd is raised naturally with no added growth hormones, without antibiotics, and is not fed animal by-products. The herd is pastured as long as weather allows and is finished on an all-vegetarian diet of clover hay, corn, barley, and potatoes. In keeping with environmental conservation, we use only our own nutrients and apply no chemicals to our pastures."
     Company website, accessed May 12, 2005

For more information, contact Lisa Isenhart at 773-525-4952 or visit http://www.keepantibioticsworking.com.

The company statements in this document have not been independently verified.