In 2016, Wendy’s set a long-term goal to phase out the routine use of medically important antibiotics within our protein supply chain. Since then, we have been working alongside our Wendy’s Animal Welfare Council and supplier partners to find ways to reduce antibiotic use while still allowing for the treatment of animals when they get sick.
This work, combined with our efforts to build greater traceability into our supply chains through the Wendy’s Animal Care Standards Program, has allowed us to set key milestones:
Through the Wendy’s Animal Care Standards Program, we will map and report on the use of medically important antibiotics and will set targets and strategies to reduce the use of those antibiotics over time within our beef and pork supply chains in the U.S. and Canada. This will build on our work to date with progressive producers in our beef and pork supply chains who are helping us find ways to reduce antibiotic use through pilot programs and researching antibiotic alternatives, like probiotics, improved animal management practices, vaccines and more.
Our goal is that 100% of our U.S. and Canadian beef, chicken and pork will be sourced from suppliers that prohibit the routine use of medically important antibiotics.
Wendy’s has long believed that achieving greater supply chain visibility is key to meaningfully reducing antiobiotic use within our supply chain.
We aim to increase visibility beyond our direct suppliers to their suppliers who are responsible for animal care and handling. By implementing the Animal Care Standards Program and working with progressive suppliers, we are beginning to gain a better sense of the scope of antibiotic use within our supply chain. We believe a greater understanding of that scope will ultimately support our efforts to establish baselines that will help us set strategies to achieve our 2030 goal.