Dive Summary:
- Zilmax animal feed additive will be temporarily pulled from the market in the U.S. and Canada while drugmaker Merck & Co implements a new study protocol and works with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine if there is any safety issue.
- The drug is used to increase the weight of cattle prior to slaughter, but concerns about its safety thrust it into the spotlight after Tyson Foods Inc's announcement last week that it won't accept Zilmax-fed cattle for slaughter anymore.
- Merck's decision isn't expected to significantly disrupt North American beef production, as many producers could switch to less-potent growth promoters like Eli Lilly and Co's Optaflexx.
From the article:
... Reuters reported earlier this week that a second major meat packer, JBS USA, at a cattle industry conference had presented a video from a JBS plant showing cattle having difficulty walking after they were fed beta-agonist drugs, additives that speed weight gain in animals. Zilmax is the leading commercial brand of beta-agonist.
Merck said its decision will allow the company time to implement its plan announced on Tuesday to establish study protocols, identify feeders and packers to participate in its audit while creating a third-party team to oversee the process and validate its results. ...