Progressive Democrat Issue 57: CONSUMER ACTIVISM: Protecting public health

This is from the Union of Concerned Scientists print newsletter (I don’t find it on their website yet):

Wendy’s is the nation’s third largest fast-food company. As such it is a major customer for the agricultural industry and purchaser of meat. A large part of the meat industry raises animals using antibiotic feed additives. As outlined by the Union of Concerned Scientists this misuse of antibiotics leads to an increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria which then pose a severe health hazard for humans. Already new antibiotics like Cipro (a first line defense against anthrax, for example) are losing their effectiveness. The discovery of new antibiotics is only barely keeping pace with the loss of effectiveness of existing antibiotics. Simply put, the routine use of antibiotics in the agriculture industry is endangering our health and the health of our children.

McDonald’s has already set a good example by implementing an antibiotics policy that gives preference to meat from animals raised without routine antibiotic use. Although this isn’t perfect, it is a huge step in the right direction. The Union of Concerned Scientists is trying to get Wendy’s to follow suit. Fast food chains are among the nation’s biggest customers of agriculture, so they hold a considerable influence over agricultural practices. McDonald’s actions is already leading to some changes in the agriculture sector, encouraging a reduction in the routine use of antibiotics in animal feed. If Wendy’s also adopts a policy that favors our health and discourages the routine use of antibiotics in animal feed, there will very likely be a real shift in how many farms raise their meat.

Please write to Wendy’s encouraging them to follow the lead of McDonald’s by halting the purchase of meat produced with antibiotic additives in their feed and to establish a tracking system that will ensure Wendy’s meat suppliers comply with this policy. Send letters to:

John Schulessler
CEO Wendy’s International
c/o Union of Concerned Scientists
1707 H. St. NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20006

Also write to/call Wendy’s directly:

Wendy's Consumer Relations
Wendy's International, Inc.
4288 W. Dublin-Granville Rd.
Dublin, OH 43017

Phone: (614) 764-3100

As a side note I want to mention that another fast food chain, Chipotle, is already trying to primarily use meat raised without antibiotics or meat by products and raised humanely. Again, from Union of Concerned Scientists:

During a January 2, 2004 National Public Radio interview, Chipotle founder and CEO Steve Ells revealed a strong desire to be able to say that all of the beef, chicken, and pork served in his restaurants are raised on vegetarian feed, without antibiotics, and produced the "old fashioned" way. Today, finding meat suppliers that meet these criteria is a challenge for socially conscious restaurants, but Ells hopes to leverage his buying power to change the way animals are raised.

Chipotle already buys its pork from Niman Ranch, a private company that raises its pigs without antibiotics, in barns and pastures with open space for the animals to roam freely. Yet Chipotle has not been able to find an adequate supply of sustainably raised poultry, including chicken produced without unnecessary antibiotics, to support the needs of its restaurants nationwide. Ells hopes that the purchasing power of the rapidly growing chain will lower the prices of antibiotic-free meat as demand rises.

Please take this into account when you choose your fast-food restaurants (if you do at all!) and please write to Chipotle and tell them you approve of what they are doing.