Subway finally decided to join the trend in serving anti-biotic free chicken starting next year following the shift of quick-service restaurants such as Chipotle, Chick-Fil-A, Panera Bread and the Mc Donalds, deciding to take the natural route in spite of the growing competition from their competitors.
The fast food chain is eyeing a shift from chicken induced with human antibiotics to naturally raised chicken as it poses serious concerns about antibiotic resistance from its consumers. But a handful of antibiotic preservationists are demanding transparency from the company, demanding that they set fixed goals and a definite plan.
In a statement issued by the Center for Food Safety (CFS) they pointed out Subway's passive actions following their shift to no antibiotic statement: "The details of Subway's plans moving forward regarding antibiotic use in its chicken are important in order to fully appraise their recent statement.
CFS and other organizations working in this movement are cautiously optimistic, but without transparency there is absolutely no guarantee that Subway's statement will actually bring about meaningful reforms within the industry."
The groups who were also dismayed by Subway's leniency are as follows: The Natural Resources Defense Council, Keep Antibiotics Working, U.S. PIRG, Food Animals Concern Trust, Consumers Union.
According to Food Safety News, they wanted Subway to define a time-bound action plan for the phasing out of routine antibiotics use, and instantly end use of antibiotics important for human medicine in the raising and production of chicken, and accept a third-party checking of the company's antibiotic use.
Furthermore, CFS remains firm in their cause for Subway to take action: Subway has built its brand as a healthier fast food option, targeting the more health conscious consumer. As public concern for antibiotic resistance grows, along with awareness of the role meat production has played in promoting the development of resistance, it simply makes good business sense for Subway to step up to be a leader on this issue, not a reluctant straggler."
