Taco Bell chicken quesadilla
Taco Bell plans to eliminate antibiotics important to human medicine from its chicken by early 2017.

IRVINE, CALIF. — Taco Bell, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., has committed to eliminating antibiotics important to human medicine from its chicken by early 2017.

The fast-food chain said it has been working with suppliers since 2014 to identify an approach to reduce the use of antibiotics overall while maintaining the benefits.

The announcement follows similar pledges from such quick-service restaurant players as McDonald’s Corp., Subway and Papa John’s International, Inc.

Jonathan Kaplan, director of the food and agriculture program at the National Resources Defense Council
Jonathan Kaplan, director of the food and agriculture program at the National Resources Defense Council
“By taking this step, Taco Bell is helping to keep our miracle drugs working when people need them most,” said Jonathan Kaplan, director of the food and agriculture program at the National Resources Defense Council. “The taco giant’s commitment shows the tide in the marketplace is continuing to turn for antibiotics overuse. We look forward to a more detailed plan for making these improvements, including for how consumers will be able to verify that Taco Bell is keeping its word. The company’s fast-food peers — and especially its sister restaurant chain, Kentucky Fried Chicken — should take note and follow shortly behind.”