KFC Sets the Right Example

Yes, KFC. Kentucky Fried Chicken.

No, the largest fast food chicken restaurant chain in the world has not suddenly started selling food that is good for you. But, by the end of 2018 at least, they will be selling food that is better for you. And better for everyone.

The chain announced that it would stop serving meat from chickens that are raised using antibiotics that are "important in human medicine" by the end of next year. This means that they will serve only chickens that have never been given antibiotics that are used to treat infections in humans - such as amoxicillin, erthyromycin and tetracycline.

Antibiotics are often given to chickens - and other livestock - to compensate for the miserable, unhealthy, overcrowded conditions in which they are raised on so-called corporate farms. Such overuse contributes to the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria that the UN World Health Organization has called "potentially the most serious health problem facing humanity". In the US alone, about 23,000 deaths are attributable to antibiotic resistant bacteria each year.

Along with poultry giant Tyson Foods, which has pledged to eliminate all use of medically important antibiotics in 2017, KFC's announcement is an important step forward and hopefully will be an example to other companies. I'll never be a big fan of fast food, but let's give credit where credit is due. Good move, KFC!