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Tyson Foods Hopes To Rid US Chicken Of Antibiotics By 2017

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SPRINGDALE, Ark. (CBSMiami/AP) — Tyson foods wants to make its chicken antibiotic free by September 2017.

The company said it will explore doing the same in its beef, pork and turkey operations.

The move comes as restaurants demand more natural produce and amid concerns that widespread antibiotic use can lead to drug-resistant germs.

McDonald's, for instance, said in March it wants suppliers to stop using human antibiotics in poultry within two years. Panera and Chipotle already said their chicken is antibiotic-free.

Tyson said in March it would work with McDonald's to meet the new requirements, plus begin looking at ways to reduce antibiotic use in cattle, hogs and turkeys.

The Arkansas-based company said it would also back research into disease prevention and antibiotic alternatives.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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