Millions of Americans partake in McDonald’s array of poultry products, including local high school students who live in an era where caring about what you eat is considered cool. However, because of the lack of restaurant options in Stockbridge, students usually opt for Mcdonalds.

“I go to McDonalds maybe once a month,” said senior Jamie Crider. “I would go more often if their food was more healthy. Because it comes from a fast food restaurant, it makes it questionable whether or not it’s healthy to eat.”

Recently, though, McDonald’s announced in a press conference that they will start selling milk jugs of lowfat white milk and fat-free chocolate milk from cows that are not treated with rbST, an artificial growth hormone made using genetic technology. McDonald’s has also announced that they will be making a switch to use chickens raised without antibiotics.

Antibiotics cause an emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in animals, which can potentially contaminate the food producing animals, according the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This nationwide contamination results in the possibility of consumers developing antibiotic-resistant infections.

“I try to pay attention to where my food comes from the best I can,” said Crider. “If McDonald’s stopped injecting their animals with steroids and things that make them grow more, then I would consider buying from McDonalds more.”

Other students, like senior Cordero Acosta, previously haven’t cared as much about McDonald’s chicken products, but think that it is great that they are changing.

“Honestly, I don’t really eat a lot of chicken from McDonalds, so it doesn’t really bother me too much that they were using antibiotics,” said Acosta. “I’m more of a burger guy, but I could work some chicken in there now that it’s going to be slightly better.”

Kimberly Dunkan, the manager for the Stockbridge McDonald’s, expressed that she does not know much about the change, but said the local franchise will start selling the new chicken products in a couple months.