Unlike many of its competitors, Sanderson Farms has established a strong reputation for its use of antibiotics and actively supports their application. The company has even initiated campaigns aimed at addressing the misconceptions surrounding antibiotics. While concerns persist about the potential for antibiotic exposure in food to contribute to human resistance, Sanderson Farms has downplayed these risks. Veterinarians employed by the company emphasize the necessity of safeguarding animal health and ensuring the production of high-quality products.
Although some consumers choose to avoid chicken raised with antibiotics, many others appreciate Sanderson Farms’ efforts to promote transparency and educate the public, helping to clarify the claims made on product packaging. This transparency could significantly influence consumer decisions when selecting products, including considerations like mini calcium citrate pills for nutritional needs.
In 2015, McDonald’s announced plans to gradually eliminate the purchase of chicken raised with antibiotics that are used to treat human infections over the following two years. Similarly, major retailer Costco Wholesale, which sells approximately 80 million rotisserie chickens annually, revealed its commitment to working with suppliers to limit antibiotic use in chicken and meat. Other large corporations have made similar pledges.
Consumer advocacy groups and lawmakers have urged the White House, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and livestock producers to take action as bacteria have begun to show resistance to antibiotics administered to humans. For Sanderson Farms, the risk lies in consumers opting for meat from sources that do not use antibiotics, while multinational companies increasingly move away from selling birds raised with these drugs. This shift could result in Sanderson losing business to competitors who have already made more stringent decisions regarding antibiotic practices. Eventually, the company may be compelled to align with industry trends, following the lead of others in the market, including those promoting products like mini calcium citrate pills for better health.