Of Superbugs and Chicken
Technology and food production has come a long way in the last 100 years, and when they collide success and failure can sometimes converge.
McDonald’s announced two weeks ago that they will begin phasing out the use of chicken treated with antibiotics that are also used in human medicine. This process is slated for completion in two years in the U.S.
The concern is that livestock being treated with subclinical doses of antibiotics to prevent illness and promote growth, causes once antibiotic-susceptible bacteria to become resistant. This is made worse when the antibiotic used is also used in human medicine, where the effectiveness of the antibiotic can mean life or death for the patient. The bigger picture is that all uses of antimicrobials, in humans and animals, play a role in resistance, so selective use can help slow this adaptation.
McDonald’s decision follows the outbreak of antibiotic-resistant superbug infections in Los Angeles associated with endoscopes used in procedures. McDonald’s has also stated that they will stop using milk from cows treated with rBST, recombinant Bovine Somatotrophin, a synthetic growth hormone FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved for use in dairy cows to increase milk production.
Just last month McDonald’s announced bringing back their chicken tenders, Chicken Selects. These chicken breast strips were dropped from the menu in 2013 in an effort to streamline the menu. This is great for the chicken industry poised to possibly have an oversupply of product. Promoting ingredient quality is also seen as a way to capture a younger clientele that tend to choose less traditional fast food options.
Trey Gafnea is the Agricultural and Natural Resources Agent for UGA Extension—Jasper County. The UGA Extension—Jasper County Office is located at 162 N. Warren Street, Monticello, GA. 31064-1154 (706) 468-6479, http://blog.extension.uga.edu/jasper/. Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.—5 p.m.
The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension – Learning for Life. Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H Youth. An Equal Opportunity- Affirmative Action Institution. To obtain extension publications, visit the UGA Extension website at: www.ugaextension.com or contact your county UGA Extension office.
