An online campaign wants to put the pressure on fast food giant McDonald's to impose a global ban on products from animals treated with antibiotics.
The charity, ShareAction, has asked the public to help convince McDonald’s to stop serving meat and milk from animals raised with routine use of medically important antibiotics.
UK-based ShareAction launched the online campaign which enables people to email McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook.
Scientists warn that treating livestock with antibiotics is leading to a rise in drug-resistant superbugs.
Only last week did McDonald's take the step to stop using poultry treated with antibiotics at its U.S. restaurants.
ShareAction, which promotes socially responsible investing, have called on McDonald's to stop using chicken, beef, pork and dairy products that have been given antibiotics in all of its 30,000 stores globally.
"We hope this action will encourage McDonald’s to supersize their ambition," ShareAction Chief Executive Catherine Howarth said.
Prevent rather than treat
Medical experts warn that the routine use of antibiotics to promote growth and prevent - rather than treat - illness in farm animals contributes to the rise of drug-resistant "superbug" infections.
McDonald's referred Reuters to an earlier statement that said it was premature to set a timeline for curbing antibiotic use in meats other than chicken, due to varying agricultural practices and regulations around the world.
"We continue to regularly review this issue," that statement said.
American fast food giant Wendy's told Reuters last week that by next year, it would stop using chickens raised with antibiotics important to human health.
It also said it would set specific goals for pork and beef production in 2017.
Fast food restaurants have become a focal point for change in the food industry by forcing suppliers to change their practices.
According to ShareAction, more than 70% of all antibiotics used in the US are given to livestock.
