Subway Sandwiches Will Go More Or Less Antibiotic Free In 2016

By Anthony Todd in Food on Oct 20, 2015 8:05PM

Antibiotic-free meat is rapidly becoming mainstream, and the latest fast food chain has jumped on the bandwagon. Subway just announced that they will begin the shift to antibiotic-free meats, with the first change being their chicken.

Many advocacy groups, including PIRG, have been pressuring Subway to make the shift for months. McDonalds, Chipotle and others have already made similar commitments. It's worth noting that this is the first high-profile statement since its spokesman plead guilty to sex with minors.

According to a press release put out by Subway, the schedule for the shift is as follows.

"Beginning in March 2016, SUBWAY® customers across the U.S. will able to order meals made with chicken raised without antibiotics. Turkey raised without antibiotics will be introduced in 2016, with a completed transition expected within 2-3 years, and pork and beef raised without antibiotics will follow within six years after that. The transition to Chicken raised without antibiotics will be completed by the end of 2016. Turkey raised without antibiotics will be introduced in 2016, with a completed transition expected within 2-3 years. The Pork and Beef transition will be completed in 2025"

While that's a long schedule, advocacy groups are already applauding the change.

VICTORY! Subway to Transition to Meat Raised Without Antibiotics https://t.co/TfpvPtKryM via @ABC

— U.S. PIRG (@uspirg) October 20, 2015

Note, however, that like most of the fast food chains to make that switch, they aren't literally switching to antibiotic-free meats like the ones you might find at the organic grocery store. Like McDonald's, Subway is using a qualifier—they are removing antibiotics "important to human medicine." So while you'll have to keep an eye on what actually changes, but it's a good first step.