Beef Sold at McDonald’s & Walmart Contains Antibiotics, New Report Finds

McDonald's serves over 69 million customers a day in more than 100 countries, selling 2.5 billion burgers a year, or 6.5 million a day. A vast majority of Americans, 85 percent, eat from McDonald's once a year or more. But along with that beef patty, cheese, lettuce, onions, and ketchup on a sesame seed bun, you may be getting a dose of antibiotics.

These powerful antibiotics are used on beef cattle to treat or prevent disease, but also because they make the animals grow faster by suppressing their immune system, which in turn allows rapid cell turnover.

But when the antibiotics from beef or animal products get into the human population, it can allow the growth of so-called antibiotic-resistant "superbugs," which have vast implications on human health, according to the World Health Organization. Specifically in cases where you truly need antibiotics to knock out infections overuse of antibiotics (even in food sources) can potentially compromise how our bodies are able to fight off infectious diseases, especially those driven by bacteria such as pneumonia.

In 2017, The FDA banned the use of medical antibiotics in animals raised for food, including beef, pork, chicken, and all farmed livestock, to try to curtail the use of medical-grade antibiotics in our food system. This was due to increasing concern that the practice was spawning new generations of antibiotic-resistant superbugs that could outwit, outlast and outkill the essential medicines in our medical arsenal to treat these powerful infections.

Infections that are strong enough to kill humans have become widespread, as we saw most recently during the global pandemic with the secondary killer, bacterial pneumonia. The coronavirus may not have been fatal in itself, but the virus was able to set off a chain of events in the body that led to inflammation and bacterial infection that proved fatal for millions.

The use of antibiotics in beef is controversial enough to warrant the World Health Organization to warn against its use. These highly potent antibiotics have found their way into beef used to make our burgers at McDonald's, our tacos at Taco Bell, and our packaged meat sold for home consumption at Walmart.

This was the bombshell finding in a new report just released by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and published in The Guardian. That investigation revealed that despite the FDA's 2017 regulation, farmers are getting around this restriction by getting sign-off from veterinarians willing to allow widespread antibiotic use.

Why do farmers want to pump antibiotics into their cattle? These medicines also spur quicker growth, meaning that factory farmers can raise hundreds and thousands more animals faster, and yield more revenue from those farmed animals by bringing them to slaughter on a shorter timetable.

Antibiotics create faster animal growth by inhibiting the growth of microbes in the gastrointestinal tract in the host, which allows faster cell turnover. But the food chain does not end there, since these same medicines end up in our food, and create a potential threat to humans.

When beef you eat on a regular basis contains a high level of antibiotics that are high enough to be measured, it means you are essentially living on antibiotics, and when you finally need a dose, it may not work the way it's designed to. Your health is compromised, and you become a host to a new powerful strain of microbes that is able to fight back against antibiotics and live to kill again.

Suppliers of beef to McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Walmart are buying their meat from large farms that use antibiotics linked to the spread of superbugs, the investigation found.

The report, quoted in The Guardian, from the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, uncovers antibiotic use in cattle sold by Cargill, JBS, and Green Bay farms. These meat producers regularly supply beef to McDonald's, Taco Bell, and Walmart.

The type of drugs in use are called HP-CIAs, which are "so essential to human medicine that their use in livestock farming should be stopped," the World Health Organization has warned. These powerful antibiotics are often the last line of defense to knock out serious bacterial infections in humans, so their overuse can ultimately make them less effective.

We saw how "superbugs" can become deadly during the pandemic when treatment was unable to knock out disease-causing infections that can be critically life-threatening and fatal.

The use of lifesaving antibiotics in humans got attention when secondary infections took over from the coronavirus that made people sick and their immune systems went into overdrive, creating inflammation that threatened their lungs and capacity to get oxygen to vital organs. While antibiotics don't kill viruses, they do work against secondary bacterial infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and other serious ailments that were a direct result of COVID-19.

Getting antibiotics out of our meat and food supply was deemed the "highest priority" back in 2017 when Congress passed a law making it illegal to treat beef cattle with large doses, in order to curtail the creation of superbugs resistant to antibiotics. Yet somehow the practice is back, this report has revealed.

“The reckless overuse of medically important antibiotics on factory farms is a major contributor to this deadly public health threat,” said Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), who has advocated for more controls on food production and transparency on labels that would let consumers know where their food comes from and what is in it.

“Giant agribusinesses have built a system that is dependent on this misuse of antibiotics to maximize their profits, with no regard to the serious harm they are causing," he added.

Farmers are allowed to use antibiotics to treat or prevent disease in animals, though they need a vet to write a prescription. However many farmers keep their animals on the medicine their entire lives, since using antibiotics promotes growth.

Five different HP-CIAs have been found in meat from Cargill –– McDonald's beef supplier. Cargill maintains that it only uses a safe level of antibiotics in the meat it sells. In a corporate statement, the company responded;

“Judicious use of antibiotics prevents sick animals from entering the food supply, and ensures that animals do not unnecessarily suffer from disease." It added: "While we support the responsible use of human antibiotics in food production, we are committed not to use antibiotics that are critically important for human medicines as defined by the World Health Organization.”

Before the investigations revealed the latest findings, the WHO warned that these vital medical antibiotics should not be deployed in livestock farming because the drugs are essential to human treatment.

Using these medical antibiotics in factory farming is likely to diminish the efficacy of these life-saving antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance accounts for 35,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control, making it one of the country's most significant health risks.

The Guardian noted that farmers are permitted to use antibiotics for cattle to fight or prevent the spread of certain diseases within the United States, requiring a prescription from a licensed veterinarian. These antibiotics were previously used to accelerate growth, but the United States government banned this practice in 2017.

The analysis of the data found that meat from the 10 largest meat packers all contained at least one HP-CIA –– and some samples contained as many as seven different HP-CIAs.

These antibiotics are commonly used to accelerate growth in livestock, allowing major meat companies to produce more meat for less money. Research has shown that this practice can lead to a significantly increased risk of animal-borne illnesses that harm human health.

This November, a separate report revealed that accelerated meat production increases the risk of long-term issues in livestock and poultry, including animal-borne pandemics.

For more plant-based happenings, visit The Beet's News articles. 

Here are the best foods to eat on repeat, to boost immunity and fight inflammation. And stay off the red meat.

Your body does not produce vitamin C, which means you need to get it daily to have enough to create healthy collagen (the building blocks for your skin and healing).The recommended daily amount to shoot for is 65 to 90 milligrams a day, which is the equivalent of one small glass of orange juice or eating a whole grapefruit. Almost all citrus fruits are high in vitamin C. With such a variety to choose from, it's easy to get your fill.

Want even more vitamin C, add red bell peppers to your salad or pasta sauce. One medium-sized red bell pepper contains 152 milligrams of vitamin C, or enough to fulfill your RDA. Peppers are also a great source of beta carotene, a precursor of vitamin A (retinol). How much beta carotene do you need a day: You should try to get 75 to 180 micrograms a day which is the equivalent of one medium bell pepper a day. But a red pepper has more than two and a half times your RDA for vitamin C so eat them all winter long.

Broccoli may be the most super of superfoods on the planet. It's rich in vitamins A and C as well as E. The phytochemicals in it are great for arming and strengthening your immune system.How much lutein should you eat in a day: There is no RDA for lutein, but experts say get at least 6 milligrams.

Garlic isn't just a great flavor-enhancer, it's essential for your health. Garlic’s immune-boosting properties are tied to its sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin. Allicin is thought to improve your immune cells' ability to fight off colds and flu, and viruses of all kinds. (Smelling more garlic on the subway? It could be smart coronavirus management.) Garlic also has anti-microbial and anti-viral properties thought to fight off infections. How much should you eat in a day: The optimal amount of garlic to eat is more than most of us can fathom: Two to three cloves a day. While that may not be doable, realistically, some people take garlic supplements to get 300-mg dried garlic in a powdered tablet.

Ginger is another ingredient that has super properties when it comes to fighting off illness. It has been shown to decrease inflammation, which can help if you get swollen glands or a sore throat or any inflammatory ailment. Gingerol, the main bioactive compound in ginger, is a relative of capsaicin, and is responsible for much of its medicinal properties. It has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.How much should you eat a day: Most recommendations land on 3–4 grams of ginger extract a day, or up to four cups of ginger tea, but no more than 1 gram a day if you are pregnant. Some studies have linked high dosages to an increased risk of miscarriage.

Spinach is not only packed with vitamin C but also antioxidants and beta carotene, both of which give your immune system the healthy boost it needs to fight off invaders. Don't overcook your spinach, since the more it's cooked the less active the antioxidants will be. If you eat it raw or lightly steamed you'll keep more of the nutrients intact.How much should you eat a day: Aim for 1 cup fresh spinach or 1/2 cup cooked per day, but this is the right moment to try the raw or slightly wilted approach. Order warm or wilted spinach salad when you go out, or make it yourself with olive oil, pine nuts, and vegan parm.

Vitamin E in almonds will help ward off colds and flu and is key to your immune system humming along. It’s a fat-soluble molecule, meaning it requires the presence of fat to be absorbed, so nuts are the perfect package for E to make it into your system.How much should you eat in a day: A half-cup serving, or 46 whole, shelled almonds, provides almost 100 percent of your RDA of vitamin E. Almonds are great for you but they don't come with a "free" pass, since 1/4 cup is a serving and has 162 calories, so double that for your RDA and you're eating about 325 calories. Throw them into smoothies instead.

This highly pigmented spice is known for its anti-inflammatory qualities. How it helps immunity? It decreases exercise-induced muscle damage. Tumeric bolsters the immune system by stimulating antibody formation and people with auto-immune diseases are told by their doctors to take 500 mg of curcumin daily to reduce inflammation and stave off soreness.How much should you eat in a day: Try adding extra Tumeric to your diet during periods of stress or during flu season. Or take 500-2,000 mg of curcumin to help fight inflammation and power up your immune system.

Green tea has high levels of EGCG, (epigallocatechin gallate) a hard-working antioxidant that is known to boost immune function. Green tea is steamed so the EGCG is still active when you drink it.Green tea also contains L-theanine, an anti-oxidant which appears to help in the production of T-cells in your body, the killer  L-theanine may aid in the production of germ-fighting compounds in your T-cells.How much green tea should you drink in a day: The optimal amount is three to five cups in a day, but most people won't get to that level. Any amount is better than nothing. Swap out a usual beverage daily for green tea could improve your health.

Papaya delivers over twice your recommended daily amount of vitamin C in one fruit. It also contains an enzyme called papain that has anti-inflammatory effects -- and inflammation is one factor in most illnesses, so avoiding it can help your body fight off bacterial infections like sinusitis.Papayas contain potassium, vitamin B, and folate, which is a powerful cell rebuilder. Exactly how folic acid works to build immunity is linked to its role in protein synthesis, and researchers think that any mechanism in which cells proliferate can be affected (which is why it's critical for pregnant women). People who are folate-deficient have compromised immune systems.How much folate should you eat a day: Whether you are pregnant or not, folate (vitamin B9) is a great vitamin to keep your cells healthy and strong. The recommendation is 400 micrograms a day, or get it from legumes, spinach, papayas, and avocados.

Kiwis are full of folate, vitamin K, vitamin C, and potassium. These vitamins in combination work in the body to build healthy cells, fight infection and keep your immune system humming along. Vitamin K deficiency is rare but when people don't have enough they suffer from weak bones and compromised immune systems. The inflammation system in the body is also dependent on vitamin K, especially your killer T cells that mobilize and fight cancer and other diseases.How much should you eat in a day: Vitamin K is one of the unsung heroes of the body. Women should get 90 micrograms a day, and men should have 120 micrograms.

Sunflower seeds are especially healthy since they provide phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin B-6 as well as vitamin E. Your immune system needs vitamin E to function at full throttle. You can also get vitamin E from avocados and spinach and broccoli.How much should you eat in a day: Anywhere from 1 ounce (30 grams) per day to a healthy handful is considered healthy, but because they are high in sodium you might want to refrain from eating the entire bag. The raw seeds have 204 calories per quarter cup.

The nutrients in miso -- which is a soybean paste that has been fermented with salt and a koji starter -- boosts immune system function by delivering healthy probiotics to the gut, making your microbiome healthier. How does Miso benefit your immune system?  It is a "sirt" food, which are foods that contain high levels of ‘sirtuins’ or proteins that regulate cells and activate metabolism. A diet high in sirts is believed to lead to weight loss, increased wellness and longevity.How much should you eat in a day? Researchers believe that consuming one bowl of miso soup per day, as is the tradition in Japan, lowers the risks of breast cancer. Other than its high sodium content there is no reason to stay away from miso with all its varied health benefits. We say cheers to that.