Darden Restaurants

Darden's policy is publicly available on their website. Antibiotics are part of the company's broader Animal Welfare and Food Principles.

Darden's overarching policy states that all land-based proteins should comply with FDA guidelines. However, the company announced on the 28 March a time-bound commitment to phase out the routine use of medically important antibiotics for their chicken supply only. We have assessed Darden on their updated policy commitment.

No detail provided in their policy, despite operating in multiple markets including Canada, Malaysia, the Middle East and Latin America.

The company recently released a new Animal Welfare Policy (28 March 2019), which states that "Darden requires its suppliers to comply with the FDA guidelines which recommend that antibiotics that are important in human medicine should no longer be given to farm animals for growth purposes, and shared-class antibiotics (i.e., those used for both humans and animals) should only be used to treat, prevent and control disease in farm animals under the supervision of a veterinarian. We will continue to monitor compliance that all of our land-based protein supply meets these guidelines." "In addition, Darden is committed to purchasing chicken raised without the use of medically important antibiotics by 2023 and will continue to work with suppliers on monitoring responsible antibiotic usage". We have scored Darden on their recent announcement to phase out the routine use of medically important antibiotics from their chicken supply chain.

Darden released its first time-bound commitment on the 28 March 2019, which states that "Darden is committed to purchasing chicken raised without the use of medically important antibiotics by 2023 and will continue to work with suppliers on monitoring responsible antibiotic usage".

The company's updated policy states that the company is working with their suppliers, industry peers, and their Animal Welfare Advisory Council to define metrics in 2020. This includes antibiotics use.

The company seems to have some internal monitoring. In their response to FAIRR, the company stated that in 2018, they established an "Animal Welfare Task Force that is working diligently to ensure our animal welfare values are effectively implemented across our supply chain. This work includes addressing responsible use of antibiotics". However, it is not clear whether their monitoring applies to all operations across markets or is US-only.

Darden responded providing some insights, but incomplete answers to the investor questions, and shared with FAIRR the release of their updated policy Darden has not met with FAIRR. Their response is available here.