Growth Promoters in Cattle and Pigs: A Review of Legislation and Implications for Human Health

ABSTRACT

Growth Promoters (GP) have been used for decades in animal production, although some countries restrict or forbid their use. With the increasing population worldwide, the demand for animal protein is also increasing, together with concerns about health, animal welfare and food safety. In this sense, the use of GP in cattle and pigs is an attempt to produce protein more efficiently. This review covers the legislation from the main meat-producing countries, GP restrictions, pharmacokinetics and mechanisms, besides possible effects of GP on human health.

KEYWORDS:

• Veterinary drug residues
• feed additives
• pharmacokinetics
• maximum residue limits
• swine

Acknowledgments

To the Department of Primary Industries, in Cowra-Australia, for hosting C.N. Aroeira as a PhD student. We thank Marina Schmitt, from Embrapa, for designing Figure 1.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) – Finance Code 001, that awarded Miss C.N. Aroeira with a scholarship.