Green News Blog

Research Sorely Lacking on Health Risks of Ingredients Used in Animal Feed

Researchers are calling upon the United States government to implement a reporting system of the exact amounts on ingredients used in feed for animal agriculture and which pose a concern for public health. In light of a growing number of  meat-borne illnesses and contaminations, many scientists and Doctors think it is nigh time that sufficient data begin to be collected and analyzed regarding the specific ingredients that commonly go into animal feed in the U.S., which includes animal fat, waste and rendered animal products, antibiotics and metals.

It is a known fact that all of these ingredients can produce high levels of bacteria, dioxins, prions and arsenic, all of which are very dangerous to humans. Despite this being the case, almost no biological or chemical testing is undertaken on feeds used in the U.S. animal agriculture industry. Apparently, it's all about the numbers. While it is true that the feed being used these days aids in increased production, researchers are strongly suggesting many of these same ingredients are causing unintended health risks.

There really can be no refutation against these charges for the lack of research done on animal feed is astounding. Furthermore, of all data that has been acquired, it has not been correlated or studied in conjunction with human health adversities known to be caused by many of the same ingredients found in concentrated amounts of animal feed. Researchers are specifically calling for tests to determine the percentage of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections in humans attributed to the use of antibiotics in animal feed, as well as research on organoarsenicals used in animal feed, which can lead to high arsenic levels in meat and potentially increase a risk of developing cancer.

What is it going to hurt to do the research? Hopefully, something will indeed be implemented and the gaps in communication currently existing between farmers, veterinarians, feed producers and public health officials in the U.S. will be no more. For those of you who enjoy eating meat but do not want to be subjected to such health risks, your best option is to buy organic meat. Not only do these animals enjoy free range conditions during their life, they are fed with all natural ingredients void of hormones and antibiotics.

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