McDonald's to use chicken without human antibiotics

A sign of demands from more health-conscience consumers, McDonald's announced it plans to start using antibiotic-free chicken.

McDonald’s says the change will take place during the next two years and its suppliers will still be able to use a type of antibiotic called ionophores that keep chickens healthy and aren't used in humans.

The Associated Press reports many cattle, hog and poultry producers give their livestock antibiotics to make them grow faster and ensure that they are healthy. The practice has become a public health issue, with officials saying it can lead to germs becoming resistant to drugs so that they're no longer effective in treating a particular illness in humans.

The fast-food chain also plans to source milk from cows not treated with the artificial growth hormone rbST. The milk change will take place later this year.

Read more from The Associated Press.