Chick-fil-A Rolls Back Vow On Antibiotic-Free Chicken

Chick-fil-A announced that it is permitting certain antibiotics in its chicken, overturning a commitment made in 2014, reported Waylon Cunningham for Reuters.

Chick-fil-A's policy change reportedly stems from anticipated challenges in sourcing chicken supplies that "meet our rigorous standards." I Photo: Chick-fil-A Copley Square

In a recent statement posted on its website, the company announced that the change would take effect in spring 2024, aiming "to maintain the supply of high-quality chicken expected from us."

The statement, also sent as a notification to the chain's app users, clarified that the antibiotics to be allowed are not crucial to human health and would only be administered "if the animal and those around it were to become sick."

Chick-fil-A informed Reuters that the policy change stemmed from anticipated challenges in sourcing chicken supplies that "meet our rigorous standards." This move follows similar rollbacks from other companies.

Tyson Foods, a major chicken supplier, announced last summer that it was reintroducing certain antibiotics to its chicken supply chain after having gone antibiotic-free in 2017.

Similarly, Panera Bread, an early adopter of antibiotic-free commitments, recently adjusted its animal welfare policies to permit the use of antibiotics in pork and turkey products.

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