Russia has recently banned U.S. meat supplies after discovering it contains ractopamine—a beta agonist drug that increases protein synthesis, thereby making the animal more muscular. This reduces the fat content of the meat. Ractopamine is known to affect the human cardiovascular system, may cause food poisoning, and is thought to be responsible for hyperactivity, muscle breakdown, and increased death and disability in livestock
About Ractopamine
Ractopamine is a veterinary drug that is used to boost meat gains in pigs and cattle by driving nutrients away from fat production and into the muscle.
This creates a leaner and heavier carcass which is ultimately more valuable than it would otherwise be. However, questions of ethics and food safety have been brought into question.
These concerns have led to a divided global community. Ractopamine is currently banned in 160 countries including the EU, China and Taiwan, where punishment for its use includes fines and imprisonment. Imported meat is tested and turned away if traces of ractopamine are discovered.
However, 24 counties support the use of ractopamine and the World Trade Organisation have supported residual trace of ractopamine in measured amounts. The US first approved ractopamine back in 1999 for use in pigs, then in 2003 it was also approved as a growth promoter in cattle.
This creates a leaner and heavier carcass which is ultimately more valuable than it would otherwise be. However, questions of ethics and food safety have been brought into question.
These concerns have led to a divided global community. Ractopamine is currently banned in 160 countries including the EU, China and Taiwan, where punishment for its use includes fines and imprisonment. Imported meat is tested and turned away if traces of ractopamine are discovered.
However, 24 counties support the use of ractopamine and the World Trade Organisation have supported residual trace of ractopamine in measured amounts. The US first approved ractopamine back in 1999 for use in pigs, then in 2003 it was also approved as a growth promoter in cattle.
Ractopamine is a cardiac stimulator, belonging to a class of drugs that binds to beta-receptors in the heart. Ractopamine has the effect of restricting blood vessels and quickening the heart.
There have also been suggestions that ractopamine may be a carcinogenic substance.
There have also been suggestions that ractopamine may be a carcinogenic substance.
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