A University of Guelph professor says it's the kind of announcement that warrants an incremental and prudent approach to phasing out antibiotics in animals.
Doctor Sylvain Charlebois is referring to McDonalds' announcement that all chicken served at it's restaurants would be free of antibiotics used on humans within two years.
While other restaurant chains have made similar announcements, Charlebois argues the sheer volume of McDonalds' sales grabs attention.
McDonalds' sells an estimated 1 point 5 billion chicken McNuggets a year.
Doctor Charlebois suggests dropping antibiotics is going to make that chicken more expensive.
The fast food company says the added costs of antibiotic-free chicken will not be immediately passed on to consumers.
However, Charlebois says that will happen - eventually.
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is Professor of Food Distribution and Policy at the University of Guelph's College of Business and Economics.
His comments were originally published by Troy Media.
