Hormones and Growth Promotants
Hormones naturally occur in animals, people and plants. They are present in many plant and animal-based foods that we eat, including beef. Our exposure to hormones from eating beef and other foods is minimal compared to what our bodies produce naturally.
Cattle can convert the feed they eat into lean muscle more quickly, improve feed efficiency and produce leaner meat with the use of growth promoters. This helps reduce the amount of land, water and feed required to raise cattle.
In Canada, all veterinary drugs are regulated by the food and drugs act. All veterinary drugs go through an approval process with Health Canada before they are licensed for use.
Growth-promoting substances are given to cattle as a slow-release pellet (implant) just under the skin of the ear or as part of
their feed ration.
Withdrawal times, or the period of time before the animal can be used for food, have been established and are regulated by Health Canada.
Ask a Veterinarian about Growth Promoting Implants
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are drugs used in both humans and animals for treating or preventing bacterial infections.
Why do farmers and ranchers use antibiotics?
- Disease Treatment: Farmers and ranchers take animal welfare very seriously and if an animal is sick, sometimes using antibiotics is necessary to treat a disease or illness.
- Disease Prevention: Sometimes antibiotics are given to prevent infections from getting established. Prevention is preferred over treatment in both humans and veterinary medicine.
- Nutritional efficiency: Ionophores are a type of antibiotic that boost growth in beef cattle. Ionophores help cattle use nutrients more effectively with less waste, meaning cattle mature more quickly and efficiently.
All antibiotics must meet Health Canada’s standards for human and animal safety. Before being approved for use, antibiotics are tested to make sure they are safe and effective.
Remember: Healthy animals means healthy food products. Antibiotics help maintain animal health, which ensures a safe food supply and prevents potential food safety problems.
What about drug residues?
Drug residues are traces (small amounts) of medication left over in meat, milk, or eggs, after an animal has been treated with a medication. Every animal health product (e.g. antimicrobials, vaccines, supplements) has a “withdrawal period”
The withdrawal period is a specific amount of time a farmer must wait before sending a treated animal or its products to market. This ensures that food is safe and free of residues. As an added layer of security, processing plants also test for drug residues to ensure food safety.
Sources: Canada Beef Fact sheet- Hormones and Other Growth Promotants, Ag in the Classroom, Real Dirt on Farming, canadianfoodfocus