How to Be a Conscious Eater

“Global Animal Partnership (GAP) Certified” (except for chickens)

“Certified Organic”

Or any of the following three phrases: “Raised with-

out antibiotics,” “No antibiotics administered,” and “No

antibiotics ever.” However, note that “antibiotic-free” is

a misleading label whose meaning is unspecified. That’s

not the one to look for.

Support better farm practices at restaurants. Largely thanks to con-

sumer demand, most of the top twenty-five chain restaurants

have made the shift away from antibiotics for chicken. See

“‘Healthy’ Fast Food” in Part 4 for a breakdown of how they stack

up and how to help speed along the slackers, especially on the

beef and swine fronts. If you don’t see a mention on the menu,

ask your server if the restaurant sources only animals raised

without antibiotics.

Spending a little extra to help limit antibiotic use isn’t so

much about you personally not ingesting antibiotics in the

moment as it is about curbing the excessive total use of anti-

biotics over the long run. Your individual action is essential to

protecting the greater good.

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