Health Impact News Editor Comments:
Ractopamine is a controversial animal drug that is banned in 160 countries, but not the United States. China is now refusing to allow several pork processing plants in the U.S. to import their meats which they say have tested positive for ractopamine.
FERN Update: Enforcing Its Ban on a Controversial Animal Drug, China Blocks Imports From Several U.S. Pork Processing Plants
by
Food & Environment Reporting Network
Excerpts:
China is refusing to allow several pork processing plants to import American meat believed to have tested positive for the controversial animal drug ractopamine. Our 2012 report by Helena Bottemiller Evich was the first to investigate the issues surrounding the use of ractopamine. Citing concerns about its effects on human health, the European Union, China, Russia, and other other countries banned the drug’s use. Despite those concerns, the feed additive is administered to the majority of pigs produced in the U.S. to make them leaner and speed their growth.
China placed six pork processors and six cold storage facilities on their “Not Eligible to Transport” list. The plants are owned by several companies, including Tyson and Hormel.
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