Banned in 160 Nations… Yet U.S. FDA Regards it as
Safe?
Posted by
Dr. Mercola | March 06 2010
A livestock drug banned in 160 nations and responsible for
hyperactivity, muscle breakdown and 10 percent mortality in pigs has
been approved by the FDA.
The beta agonist ractopamine, a repartitioning agent that increases
protein synthesis, was recruited for livestock use when researchers
found the drug, used in asthma, made mice more muscular.
Ractopamine is started as the animal nears slaughter.
How does a drug marked, "Not for use in humans. Individuals with
cardiovascular disease should exercise special caution to avoid
exposure. Use protective clothing, impervious gloves, protective eye
wear, and a NIOSH-approved dust mask" become "safe" in human food? With
no washout period?
The drug is banned in Europe, Taiwan and China, and more than 1,700
people have been "poisoned" from eating pigs fed the drug since 1998,
but ractopamine is used in 45 percent of U.S. pigs and 30 percent of
ration-fed cattle.
Sources:
AlterNet February 2, 2010
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