Big-box retailer Costco “is working toward eliminating the sale of chicken and meat from other animals raised with antibiotics that are vital to fighting human infections,” says Reuters, based on interviews with senior executives. The story follows the announcement by McDonald’s this week of a two-year transition to selling only chicken raised without the use of medically important antibiotics at U.S. outlets. Costco sells 80 million rotisserie chickens a year. Reuters said Costco’s plan “highlights growing pressure on the supply chain” as large purchasers change their buying standards.
Costco is the third-largest U.S. retailer. Groceries accounted for 13 percent of its sales in the year that ended last Aug. 31, said Reuters.