McDonald’s USA has announced several new policies relating to food sourcing. The chain said it will only source chicken raised without antibiotics “that are important to human health.” (Farmers who supply chicken for the corporation’s menu will continue their use of ionophores, a type of antibiotic not used for humans.)
In addition, McDonald’s U.S. restaurants will serve low-fat and fat-free milk from cows not treated with rbST (an artificial growth hormone). The company was also announced this week as a founding member of the newly formed U.S. Roundtable on Sustainable Beef.
“Our customers want food that they feel great about eating – all the way from the farm to the restaurant – and these moves take a step toward better delivering on those expectations,” said McDonald’s U.S President Mike Andres.
McDonald’s has faced sharply declining sales, and increased competition from other restaurant chains.