Burger Chains' Antibiotics Grades: Two As, 22 Fs

Report raises concerns over 'spread of antibiotic resistance'
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 17, 2018 9:01 AM CDT
Burger Chains' Antibiotics Grades: Two As, 22 Fs
A McDonald's Double Quarter Pounder is shown in Atlanta on March 6, 2018.   (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Craving a fast-food burger? You'll be hard-pressed to find one that gets a passing grade from experts on antibiotic use in meat. A report out Wednesday—a collaboration by the Natural Resources Defence Council, Consumer Reports, Center for Food Safety, and other groups—gives 22 of 25 top US burger chains an F grade when it comes to responsible antibiotic use. As the report points out, per CNN, "overuse of antibiotics in livestock production significantly contributes to the spread of antibiotic resistance." Just two of the top chains based on US sales use antibiotic-free beef, earning an A rating. The full list:

A rating:

  • Shake Shack
  • BurgerFi
D- rating:
  • Wendy's, which, according to a researcher, "made a modest pledge last winter to reduce one antibiotic in a small portion of its beef supply"
F rating:
  • McDonald's
  • Burger King
  • Sonic
  • Jack in the Box
  • Hardee's
  • Whataburger
  • Carl's Jr.
  • Five Guys
  • Culver's
  • Steak 'n Shake
  • In-N-Out Burger
  • White Castle
  • Checkers
  • Krystal
  • Smashburger
  • Freddy's
  • The Habit Burger Grill
  • Rally's
  • Fuddruckers
  • A&W
  • Jack's
  • Farmer Boys
See grocery stores' grades for food waste here. (More fast food stories.)

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