Contraceptive and Harmful Antibiotics Found in Top Ten Fast Food Samples

Three veterinary drugs and hormones were found in 10 fast food samples tested as part of MAA's Fast Food Testing Program.

One sample from Chick-fil-A contained Nicarbazin, a contraceptive and antiparasitic that has been prohibited for human use. The EPA Nicarbazin label restriction reads: "Do not apply within 20 feet of any body of water, including lakes, ponds or rivers." MAA questions: if Nicarbazin is unsafe to apply within 20 feet of waterways, and the human body is 60% water, how is it safe to consume via fast food?

Six out of ten (60%) of the fast food samples contained Monensin, an antibiotic not approved by the FDA for human use. Monensin has been shown to cause severe harm when consumed by humans.

Four out of ten (40%) of the samples contained Narasin, an antibiotic shown in animal studies to cause anorexia, diarrhea, dyspnea, depression, ataxia, recumbency, and death — and pathologically degeneration, necrosis, and repair of heart and skeletal muscles.

Monensin and Narasin are antibiotic ionophores — toxic to horses and dogs at extremely low levels, often leaving their hind legs dysfunctional.

Only Chipotle and Subway had no detectable levels of veterinary drugs and hormones in their tested samples.

Zen Honeycutt: "The impact of millions of Americans, especially children and young adults, consuming a known animal contraceptive daily is concerning. With infertility problems on the rise, the reproductive health of this generation is front and center for us, in light of these results."