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The additive at the center of the banned Canadian pork dispute

With allegations of “forged” certificates by the Chinese authorities, the Canadian Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food has confirmed that 188 “inauthentic certificates” had been identified, and referred to it as a “technical issue.”

As for the accusation that Canadian pork producers are using ractopamine in animal feed, it can be said that it is entirely legal to use the feed additive in Canada, as well as in the United States. But it is also a well-known fact that China and around 160 other countries ban the additive’s use in pork, beef and poultry meats.

A man grills pork for sale at a market in Phnom Penh  Cambodia  which has banned the import of all p...

A man grills pork for sale at a market in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, which has banned the import of all pigs and pork products
TANG CHHIN Sothy, AFP


What is ractopamine?
Ractopamine hydrochloride is not an antibiotic or hormone. It is classified as a feed additive. It belongs to a class of drugs called beta-agonists, according to Ben Bohrer, an assistant professor at the University of Guelph, and president of the Canadian Meat Science Association, reports the Global News.

The additive is sometimes added to animal feed to increase the animals’ ability to efficiently turn what they eat into lean muscle rather than fat. This leads to reduced feed demand, less waste, and higher quality and more affordable meat for consumers. As of 2015, ractopamine use as a feed additive is authorized in the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Mexico.

Ractopamine is generally used on swine, beef, and turkeys to “finish” the animals before they are slaughtered for meat. Canada and the U&.S. insist there are no health risks to humans from the use of the feed additive in animals used for meat.

“In the livestock production world, that’s really the major goal of most livestock producers: to produce a product that’s efficient,” Bohrer said. “They have low input costs or lower input costs, so they’re consuming less feed, and with less feed, they’re producing meat that’s both larger and leaner.”

How common is ractopamine in Canadian pork?
CTV News Canada reports that according to food lawyer Glenford Jameson, Canadian farmers have limited the additive’s use due to the international bans.

“In Canada, the industry really led us to a point where most pork that’s produced in Canada doesn’t contain ractopamine, and that’s to access foreign markets,” Jameson told CTV News Channel on Tuesday. He added that in the U.S., the additive is used in almost 50 percent of pork products.

It should be noted that this is not the first time Canada has been accused of shipping pork to China with residual amounts of ractopamine being detected in the meat. On July 18, 2017, The Manitoba Co-Operator published a story about ractopamine residue being found in a shipment of pig’s feet from an establishment that wasn’t identified.

Scene from a tour of a turkey farm.

Scene from a tour of a turkey farm.
National Turkey Federation


“Canadian Pork International, Canadian Pork Council, and the Canadian Meat Council are working with the establishment involved as well as with Canadian government officials to clarify this incident and to take corrective actions,” said Pork Council spokesman Gary Stordy, at the time.

“We are taking this detection very seriously and want to assure Chinese customers that our industry is dedicated to providing consumers a healthy, safe and nutritious product.”

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued an advisory to the industry that “China is looking at this violation as a systemic failure in the implementation of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Pork Certification Program which could affect future pork exports to China. Furthermore, the Chinese authorities are testing Canadian pork for ractopamine at a wider level.”

A slab of cured pork

A slab of cured pork
tastytouring


But is ractopamine safe around humans?
In Canada, a product called Ractopamine 100 is used for finishing beef cattle. It is recommended that the ractopamine-mixed feed be fed for 28 to 42 days prior to slaughter.

It is clearly noted on the additive’s information sheet that “{When mixing and handling RACTOPAMINE 100, use protective clothing, impervious gloves, and a dust mask. Operators should wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. If accidental eye contact occurs, immediately rinse eyes thoroughly with water.”

The additive sheet also warns: “The active ingredient in RACTOPAMINE 100 is ractopamine hydrochloride. Ractopamine hydrochloride is a beta-adrenergic agonist. Individuals with cardiovascular disease should exercise special caution to avoid exposure.”

But, yes, the U.S. FDA and Canadian authorities say it is safe for humans to eat meat where ractopamine has been used to “finish” the animals slaughtered.

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We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend Karen Graham, who served as Editor-at-Large at Digital Journal. She was 78 years old. Karen's view of what is happening in our world was colored by her love of history and how the past influences events taking place today. Her belief in humankind's part in the care of the planet and our environment has led her to focus on the need for action in dealing with climate change. It was said by Geoffrey C. Ward, "Journalism is merely history's first draft." Everyone who writes about what is happening today is indeed, writing a small part of our history.

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