This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37055471
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| McDonald's pressured to serve up global antibiotics ban | McDonald's pressured to serve up global antibiotics ban |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A new online campaign is putting pressure on fast food giant McDonald's to impose a global ban on products from animals treated with antibiotics. | A new online campaign is putting pressure on fast food giant McDonald's to impose a global ban on products from animals treated with antibiotics. |
| Scientists warn that treating livestock with antibiotics is leading to a rise in drug-resistant superbugs. | Scientists warn that treating livestock with antibiotics is leading to a rise in drug-resistant superbugs. |
| The charity ShareAction has called on consumers to email McDonald's chief executive Steve Easterbrook. | The charity ShareAction has called on consumers to email McDonald's chief executive Steve Easterbrook. |
| Last week, the fast food chain stopped using poultry treated with antibiotics - but only in its US restaurants. | Last week, the fast food chain stopped using poultry treated with antibiotics - but only in its US restaurants. |
| ShareAction has called on McDonald's - which operates in more than 100 countries - to stop using chicken, beef, pork and dairy products that have been given antibiotics in all of its 30,000 stores globally. | |
| 'Superbugs' | 'Superbugs' |
| Medical experts warn that the routine use of antibiotics to promote growth and prevent - rather than treat - illness in farm animals contributes to the rise of drug-resistant "superbug" infections. They are said to kill at least 23,000 Americans a year and represent a significant threat to global public health. | Medical experts warn that the routine use of antibiotics to promote growth and prevent - rather than treat - illness in farm animals contributes to the rise of drug-resistant "superbug" infections. They are said to kill at least 23,000 Americans a year and represent a significant threat to global public health. |
| Scientists have warned the world is on the cusp of the "post-antibiotic era" after discovering in China in November 2015 bacteria resistant to the antibiotic colistin - the medication used when all others have failed. | Scientists have warned the world is on the cusp of the "post-antibiotic era" after discovering in China in November 2015 bacteria resistant to the antibiotic colistin - the medication used when all others have failed. |
| It appeared to develop in farm animals before also being detected in hospital patients. | It appeared to develop in farm animals before also being detected in hospital patients. |
| Fast food restaurants have become a focal point for change in the food industry by forcing suppliers to change their practices. | Fast food restaurants have become a focal point for change in the food industry by forcing suppliers to change their practices. |
| According to ShareAction, more than 70% of all antibiotics used in the US are given to livestock. | According to ShareAction, more than 70% of all antibiotics used in the US are given to livestock. |
| 'Supersize their ambition' | 'Supersize their ambition' |
| In the UK, that figure stands at more than 50% according to the group. | In the UK, that figure stands at more than 50% according to the group. |
| "We hope this action will encourage McDonald's to supersize their ambition," said ShareAction chief executive Catherine Howarth. | "We hope this action will encourage McDonald's to supersize their ambition," said ShareAction chief executive Catherine Howarth. |
| McDonald's told the Reuters news agency that it was too early to set a timeline for phasing out the use of all meat and milk products from animals treated with antibiotics. | McDonald's told the Reuters news agency that it was too early to set a timeline for phasing out the use of all meat and milk products from animals treated with antibiotics. |
| The company cited varying practices and regulations around the world as one of the difficulties, but added that it "continues to regularly review this issue". | The company cited varying practices and regulations around the world as one of the difficulties, but added that it "continues to regularly review this issue". |
| Rival fast food groups are also under pressure to take action. | Rival fast food groups are also under pressure to take action. |
| On Thursday KFC was the target of a petition from consumer groups that called on the chicken chain to stop using poultry products treated with antibiotics. | On Thursday KFC was the target of a petition from consumer groups that called on the chicken chain to stop using poultry products treated with antibiotics. |
| KFC has already said it will limit the use of human antibiotics in its chicken by next year. | KFC has already said it will limit the use of human antibiotics in its chicken by next year. |
| However, critics claim the policy still allows for routine use of antibiotics by its chicken suppliers. | However, critics claim the policy still allows for routine use of antibiotics by its chicken suppliers. |
| US burger chain Wendy's plans to stop using chickens raised with antibiotics by 2017 and also plans to set similar goals for pork and beef. | US burger chain Wendy's plans to stop using chickens raised with antibiotics by 2017 and also plans to set similar goals for pork and beef. |
| Antibiotics - what you need to know | Antibiotics - what you need to know |