Over the years, the quality of fast food has come into question numerous times. As obesity rates rise, establishments like McDonald's come under a lot of fire - and the first thing questioned is just how good the food really is. For the most part, McDonald's has stayed in front of any accusations, and it seems as if the fast food chain is preparing to do so yet again.

Earlier this week, McDonald's announced that it would no longer serve chicken raised on antibiotics. While it won't make much of a difference to someone who grabs a cheeseburger every now and again, the affects of such a change could be bigger than you'd think.

McDonald's has long prided itself on the quality of its chicken: that's why you used to see something about 'all white meat' in nearly every single one of the chain's commercials. Now, as concerns surrounding animals raised on antibiotics become public knowledge, the restaurant is safeguarding itself against any sort of fallout.

For those who are worried about the antibiotics' affects on humans, don't: that's not what the FDA is worried about. What the organization is worried about is how bacteria could adapt to excessive amounts of the medicine: it's a similar to how the flu virus is constantly adapting to vaccines, and why you need a new shot every year. If something were to happen and the restaurants' foods were at risk, it could affect millions of people.

Thankfully, there's been no major issues as a result of animals being raised on the medicine so far, but the FDA has been urging major food chains to reduce the amount regardless. Grocery stores have been carrying less and less of the meat for the past few years, and McDonald's is now one of the first fast food chains to beginning limiting antibiotics as well. Hopefully, more will follow.

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Photo: Calgary Reviews | Flickr