McDonald’s to stop drugs for its chickens in superbug scare

McDONALD’S is to phase out the use of some antibiotics to treat sick chickens on its farms amid concerns about the development of dangerous superbugs.

The move comes after pressure from health experts who are concerned about the use of antibiotics in food animals which are similar to those used on humans.

Historically, it has been common practice on farms in Britain and around the world to treat sick chickens with antibiotics.

But there is mounting evidence that the bugs which cause these infections, such as campylobacter and salmonella, are becoming immune to these antibiotics.

That means that when someone falls ill as a result of handling or eating infected chicken, doctors find it increasingly difficult to treat them with the antibiotics they would normally rely on.

Now McDonald’s has decided to phase out the use on its chicken farms of two types of antibiotic – fluoroquinolones and macrolides – that are similar to those used in human medicine.

The fast food giant said it will continue to use other types of antibiotic to treat sick birds and those thought to be at risk of falling ill.

A spokesman said: ‘McDonald’s Europe has announced plans to phase out the use of those antibiotics that play a crucial role in the human treatment of specific and serious infections and diseases.’