Food consumers seldom hear about the drugs oestradiol-17, zeranol, trenbolone acetate and melengestrol acetate and the names are certainly not on meat labels. But those synthetic growth hormones are central to U.S. meat production, especially beef, and the reason Europe has banned a lot of U.S. meat since 1989.

 Zeranol, widely used as a growth promoter in the U.S. beef industry, is a "powerful estrogenic chemical, as demonstrated by its ability to stimulate growth and proliferation of human breast tumor cells" similar to the "known carcinogen diethylstilbestrol (DES),"

The Breast Cancer Fund, dedicated to identifying and eliminating environmental causes of breast cancer, is a "powerful estrogenic chemical, as demonstrated by its ability to stimulate growth and proliferation of human breast tumor cells in vitro at potencies similar to those of the natural hormone estradiol and the known carcinogen diethylstilbestrol (DES)."

  "May be a risk factor for breast cancer," says the College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering at China Agricultural University in Beijing. The Breast Cancer Fund, dedicated to identifying and eliminating environmental causes of breast cancer, agrees: The drug The use of Zeranol requires "Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment" according to its instructions for usage--"laboratory coat, gloves, safety glasses and mask." Why is it routinely used in U.S. meat production and not even labeled?

 Melengestrol acetate, a synthetic progestin put in feed, is 30 times as active as natural progesterone, says the European Commission (EC) and trenbolone acetate, a synthetic androgen, is several times more active than testosterone. Trenbolone acetate is administered as ear implants commonly seen at livestock operations. Operators say they--and the ears themselves--are thrown out at the slaughterhouse and don't enter the human food supply. Do they become feed for other livestock instead?

 “There is an association between steroid hormones and certain cancers and an indication that meat consumption is possibly associated with increased risks of breast cancer and prostate cancer,” says the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures. “The highest rates of breast cancer are observed in North America, where hormone-treated meat consumption is highest in the world,” it says, adding that the same statistics apply to prostate cancer.

To continue reading:  http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/martharosenberg/were-eating-what-...

Ractopamine

It is the active ingredient in products known as Paylean for swine and Optaflexx for cattle.

Read at:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optaflexx

Here is a warning concerning the above mentioned drug.

WARNING: The active ingredient in Optaflexx, ractopamine hydrochloride, is a beta-adrenergic agonist. Individuals with cardiovascular disease should exercise special caution to avoid exposure. Not for use in humans. Keep out of the reach of children. The Optaflexx 45 formulation (Type A Medicated Article) poses a low dust potential under usual conditions of handling and mixing. When mixing and handling Optaflexx, use protective clothing, impervious gloves, protective eye wear, and a NIOSH-approved dust mask. Operators should wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. If accidental eye contact occurs, immediately rinse eyes thoroughly with water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. The material safety data sheet contains more detailed occupational safety information. To report adverse effects, access medical information, or obtain additional product information, call 1-800-428-4441.

The above warning came from this link, very informative:  http://www.drugs.com/pro/optaflexx-45.html

Ractopamine for Cattle

As competition increases at junior livestock shows, many
exhibitors look for ways to gain an “extra edge” in the
show ring. Today, many commercial nutritional products
are available that contain combinations of vitamins,
minerals, probiotics, or fat to help improve the
nutritional status of steers or heifers. While these
products may help move an exhibitor towards the top of
the class, they cannot take the place of good genetics,
proper management and care.
On January 28, 2004, Elanco Animal Health™ made
Optaflexx™ commercially available. Optaflexx™ is a
medicated feed additive and is labeled only for use in
steers or market heifers during their last 28 to 42 days
on feed. It is not approved for use in breeding heifers or
bulls. Optaflexx’s™ active ingredient is ractopamine
hydrochloride, which is the same compound found in
Paylean®, labeled for use only in swine.

Continue reading at: http://ansci.colostate.edu/pdf_files/YLE/Beef13_optaflexx.pdf

My mind saw that it was for use only in a certain time limit before slaughter, it is also within the half-life of the chemical.

Type A Medicated Article

Active Drug Ingredient: ractopamine hydrochloride – 9 g per lb (20 g per kg)

Important: Must be thoroughly mixed into feeds before use. Follow label directions.

Hens: For increased rate of weight gain and improved feed efficiency in finishing hen turkeys when fed for the last 7 to 14 days prior to slaughter.

There again it is within the slaughter period, Happy Thanksgiving!!

Continue reading a:   http://www.drugs.com/pro/topmax.html

Do we really believe that the meat industry has our best interest in mind? This is proof they put harmful chemicals into our food supply right before slaughter. How many more times do we need to be informed to understand that the food supply we consume on a daily bases harms or poisons our bodies to the degree of killing us. We as the most intelligent species on earth are allowing our selves to be wiped off the planet because we re to stupid to say stop, or to lazy to take care of our own. Money has become so obsessive, and status so desirable that we have literally place the existence of our race on the line.

Does that indicate smartness or the will to survive in anyway?

All comments are welcome.