McDonald’s has stopped serving chickens raised with antibiotics that are important to human medicine, while Cargill has stopped using antibiotics for disease prevention in turkey flocks. Minnesota Turkey Growers and Poultry Federation Executive Director Steve Olson says those outside agriculture don’t understand how properly and responsibly antibiotics are used in livestock and poultry production.

He says there are several safeguards ag producers follow when using antibiotics in their flocks.

He says once the birds are processed then samples are taken to make sure there are no residues remaining. Olson says restaurant owners are jumping the gun on reacting to consumer’s perceived fears about antibiotics.

In addition, Tyson Foods announced earlier this year its chicken line would be free of antibiotics by the end of 2017.