McDonald's Corporation has announced that it is cutting human antibiotics from its global chicken supply and promises to take similar actions in its supplies of beef, dairy cows, pork and laying hens.

This new action is part of its Global Vision for Antibiotic Stewardship in Food Animals, which the company first proposed in 2015. 

Beginning in 2018, McDonald's will require broiler chicken suppliers to eliminate antibiotics that the World Health Organization defines as Highest Priority Critically Important (HPCIA) to human health. To expand this policy globally, the company said it will phase it in gradually to ensure that producers can effectively implement the new policy. By January 2018, HPCIAs will be eliminated for broiler chickens for McDonald's restaurants in Brazil, Canada, Japan, South Korea, the United States and Europe. By the end of 2019, HPCIAs will be eliminated from broiler chicken for outlets in Australia and Russia as well.

By January 2027, HPCIAs will be limited from all of the company's designated markets. "Our goal is to have this policy implemented before this date."

Learn more at news.mcdonalds.com/us/media-statements/response-to-antibiotics-in-chicken.