In-N-Out vows to veer away from beef raised with antibiotics

In-N-Out Burger, the popular Irvine-based chain that is considered an icon of California fast food, says it is committing itself against buying beef raised with antibiotics.

The company made the announcement after a coalition of activists urged In-N-Out last month to stop serving beef produced with the “routine use of antibiotics.”

The coalition, composed of more than 50 groups, contended that animals raised in industrial-style facilities are fed antibiotics to prevent disease because the facilities are crowded and unsanitary. That “overuse” of antibiotics, the coalition said in a letter to In-N-Out Burger, contributes to a rise in antibiotic-resistant infections that, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, claim at least 23,000 American lives each year.

“Our company is committed to beef that is not raised with antibiotics important to human medicine, and we’ve asked our suppliers to accelerate their progress toward establishing antibiotic alternatives,” Keith Brazeau, In-N-Out’s vice president of quality, said in a statement.

“The Food and Drug Administration guidance on the use of antibiotics in livestock increases veterinary oversight of antibiotic administration and phases out the use of antibiotics to promote growth. We are committed to working closely with our suppliers to ensure they follow these science-based best practices, as well as the American Veterinary Medical Assn. guidance on antibiotic use in cattle.”

Jason Pfeifle, public health advocate with CALPIRG Education Fund, said in a statement this week that “we’re thrilled that In-N-Out is responding so quickly to consumer demand. If In-N-Out follows through on these commitments, it will be an important win for public health.”

CALPIRG describes itself as an independent, nonpartisan group working for consumers to counterweight the influence of special interests.

“In-N-Out Burger’s recent statement is an important step forward,” Kari Hamerschlag, senior program manager at Friends of the Earth, an environmental group, said in a news release. “Now the company needs to provide the public with a timeline showing that it’s serious about eliminating everyday use of antibiotics in meat production.”

Some patrons of In-N-Out’s restaurant on West 19th Street in Costa Mesa said they were pleased with the chain’s announcement.

Carrie Berg of Newport Beach said her two daughters, ages 7 and 9, aren’t allowed to eat fast food, except for In-N-Out.

“I feel that In-N-Out uses the freshest and most natural ingredients, which is how I cook at home, so I do not feel bad letting them eat there,” Berg said. “I will be so excited when and if In-N-Out decides to use beef that is raised without antibiotics. It will even be more like what I use at home.”

She said she is willing to pay “a little bit more and know that my growing daughters are not getting dirty meat filled with chemicals.”

Mattie Fowler, a Huntington Beach resident, also frequents the In-N-Out on West 19th.

“Of course it’d be nice not to have antibiotics,” she said.

But Fowler, who is nearly 72 and said she is healthy and eats beef in moderation, said news stories about advocacy groups’ urgings sometimes get to her.

“I get tired of everybody demanding everything all the time,” Fowler said. “It just makes me tired.”