By Austin Wilson, Manager, Environmental Health Program
Antibiotics mismanagement, particularly at factory farms, is causing a rise of dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans, raising the specter of a deadly post-antibiotic era. This past summer, we made great strides in our work with fast food companies to address antibiotics overuse and misuse in meat production. Wendy’s followed up on its commitment to us with its August announcement that its chicken would never be given medically-important antibiotics. We also announced a new shareholder resolution with Yum! Brands (KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut), which earned widespread media coverage. With so much progress on this serious public health issue in 2016 alone, we are encouraged about the potential that next year brings to create progress throughout the industry.
