The report assessed the policies and practices in place within the companies, and the availability and transparency of these practices to the end consumer.

Of the 25 companies included in the report only 5 received ‘passing grades’ – these were McDonald’s, Panera Bread, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Chick-fil-A, and Dunkin’ Donuts.

“US restaurant chains must take responsibility for how the meat they sell is contributing to the rise of antibiotic resistance,” said Jean Halloran, director of food policy initiatives at Consumers Union, the policy arm of Consumer Reports.

“The majority of meat served at Panera and Chipotle is produced without routine use of antibiotics, and Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s have committed to limiting antibiotics use in their chicken. We are urging other major chains, such as Subway and Burger King, to take immediate action in their meat supply chain to address the urgent problem of antibiotic resistance.”

The report concludes that: ‘Top US restaurant chains have a unique opportunity and responsibility to help tackle the antibiotic resistance crisis by using their considerable purchasing power to shift production towards meat and poultry raised without the routine use of antibiotics.’

To read the full report and see more information, visit www.foe.org/chain-reaction