Think about the last fast food restaurant you’ve been to. Now try to remember if there could be a chance that the meat you consumed was ever treated with any antibiotics. If there was a possibility of you consuming antibiotic-fed meat, this could potentially affect your health in an unexpected way! As stated from previous articles, we discussed that an abundance usage of antibiotics would eventually lead to antibiotic resistance due to genetic mutations. The resistant bacteria can then be spread from the fed animal to other animals by water, air, and manured and sludge-fertilized soil.1 Now the spread of resistant bacteria can also be spread to humans through the consumption of these meats.1 This potentially puts the entire world at risk of antibiotic resistance before we can even recognize it!
Large fast food companies such as McDonald’s and Subway are one of the leading companies to use excessive amounts of antibiotic in their livestock and agriculture. Fast food corporations are one of the biggest consumers of meat products; McDonald’s Canada alone buys over 70 million pounds of beef per year.2 Antibiotics are commonly used in animals to ensure an expedited and complication free journey from birth to slaughter. However, this seemingly unnecessary use of antibiotics contributes greatly towards the development of antibiotic resistance.
An antimicrobial resistance report by the BC Ministry of Agriculture’s Animal Health Centre on antimicrobial resistance in Atlantic salmon, poultry, and bovine milk showed that although there did not appear to be any obvious increasing or decreasing trends in antimicrobial resistance, there is clearly evidence of bacterial strains being resistant to one or more types of antibiotics.3 By showing a large amount of public support through petitions for the use of antibiotic free ingredients, it can make a company consider the use of these ingredients, especially when compared to the success of a competitor; A&W’s campaign on the use of antibiotic free chicken and beef was one of great success, and led to increased sales and profits. Another very popular and successful company which advertises their use of antibiotic and hormone free meats, is Chipotle.
Another underrated but effective method to combat these large fast food companies would be to have awareness of the topic of antibiotic resistance. Information resources such as our website, information brochure (found on the sidebar), and petition can all promote and improve the awareness of this issue. Eventually, consumers of fast food products may think to eat more or exclusively at restaurants that use antibiotic-free ingredients.
Remember to think again the next time you step into that door of your closest McDonald’s restaurant!
References:
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Marshall BLevy S. Food Animals and Antimicrobials: Impacts on Human Health. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2011;24(4):718-733.
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How much beef dose mcdonalds serve in one day nation wide? :: Our food. Your questions :: McDonalds.ca [Internet]. McDonalds. 2012 [cited 15 November 2016]. Available from: http://yourquestions.mcdonalds.ca/questions/40
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Antimicrobial Resistance Report: Animal Health [Internet]. 1st ed. 2016 [cited 15 November 2016]. Available from: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/agriculture-and-seafood/animal-and-crops/agricultural-licenses-and-forms/amr_animalhealth_april_2016.pdf
Picture: McDoanld's Corp. Photo by McDonald's Corp. [Internet]. 2016 [cited 20 November 2016]. Available from: http://www.cattlenetwork.com/news/industry/mcdonalds-investor-renews-push-antibiotic-reduction-all-meat
Antibiotic Resistance 