Statements on Antibiotic Use by Major Restaurant Chains

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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 or the harsh, unsavory

conditions of factory farms. " 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, August 15, 2001

 

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

 

Hardee's, Carl's Jr., La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grills and Green Burrito

 

" 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, February 12,

2002

 

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, July 16, 2001

 

For more information, contact Michael Khoo at the Union of Concerned

Scientists: 202-223-6133 or visit http://www.keepantibioticsworking.com.

 

Keep Antibiotics Working is a coalition of health, consumer, agricultural,

environmental and other advocacy groups with more than nine million members

dedicated to eliminating a major cause of antibiotic resistance--the

inappropriate use of antibiotics in farm animals.