KFC to ban antibiotics from chicken by 2018

Chain works with over 2,000 farms to implement

KFC plans to stop using chicken in the U.S. that contains antibiotics by the end of 2018, becoming the latest fast-food chain to move toward a more natural product.

The chain, with 4,200 restaurants across the nation, said Friday it is cutting antibiotics from both its boneless and on-the-bone chicken.

Other quick-service chains, such as Chipotle, McDonald’s, Burger King, Panera and Wendy’s, have made similar pledges to eliminate antibiotics in their chicken. But KFC said it believes it is on the cutting edge in trying to go without antibiotics when it comes to on-the-bone chicken.

Treating farm animals with antibiotics can cause resistant bacteria to grow and if people are infected from improper handling or cooking, they run the risk of serious illness or death, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We share the public’s concern about ... antimicrobial resistance,” said Kevin Hochman, president of KFC U.S.

According to KFC, the move won’t result in higher prices for consumers because the cost increase is small enough that the company can absorb it. But it won’t be easy. Hochman said growers will have to raise more chickens in order to meet KFC’s size demands without the antibiotics. On the plus side, the move could result in generally healthier birds since farms will be less crowded.