Burger King owner vows to end use of antibiotics in chicken

The parent of Burger King and Canadian fast food chain Tim Hortons on Thursday vowed to cut the use of antibiotics in its chicken supply, joining other major fast-food chain operators in the battle against the rise of dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria known as superbugs.

Restaurant Brands said it intends to switch its Burger King and Tim Hortons chains in the US and Canada to chicken raised without the use of antibiotics important to human medicine by the end of 2018.

The company said it intends to apply the new policy to all brands over time. It did not share additional details about the new antibiotic rules.