A Perspective On Beta-Agonists

A Perspective On Beta-Agonists

published: August 13th 2013
by: Richard Raymond, M.D., former Undersecretary, USDA
source: Facts About Beef

This is a topic of discussion within the beef industry. The following article does not represent the opinion of the Beef Checkoff or the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

With beta-agonists being in the news lately, I find myself frequently being asked questions about these animal feed ingredients and why they’re used in raising some livestock today. Beta-agonists have been used in U.S. swine production since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in1999 and in U.S. cattle production since 2003. Approval for use in turkey production has followed, but is not used as widely as in cattle and swine.

Beta-agonists have been approved for use in finishing animals raised for food in more than two dozen countries, many of them major producers of red meat to feed a hungry world.

Beta-agonists promote heavier, leaner carcasses, providing less expensive meat and healthier choices.

It is estimated that beta-agonists used as feed ingredients at targeted points in the life cycle of animals raised for food increase pork yields by about 6-7 pounds per pig, and increase beef yields by an estimated additional 30 pounds of lean meat per cow.

If only half of the 24 million head of cattle harvested annually, a conservative estimate to be sure, yielded an additional 30 pounds of meat, this would provide 360 million more pounds of lean beef during a time when drought and high grain prices are forcing a reduction in the size of the American cattle herd. That would equate to 1.4 billion additional quarter pounders to help feed the world’s children, too many of whom go to bed hungry every night.

It is also estimated that over 700 million pigs have been supplemented with beta-agonists since its approval 14 years ago. I am not an ag economist, but I can do the simple math that says if each of those 700 million pigs produced an additional 6 pounds because of beta-agonist supplementation, that would be over 4 billion additional pounds of pork, or put another way, an additional 16 billion four ounce servings of protein.

As the former Undersecretary for Food Safety at USDA, I also know that in those billions of servings of pork and beef, not one single incident of a foodborne illness or side effect in a human has been reported. That should make us feel confident as far as human safety goes.

So, why are beta-agonists used in animals raised for food of no significance to our health? There are multiple reasons.

First and foremost, these compounds have a very short half-life, meaning the animal’s organs break down, metabolize and excrete them very quickly. They are not, for the most part, ever detected in meat sampled by the USDA.And when the rare positive does pop up, it is far below the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) established for human safety by the FDA n and by the international Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Secondly, beta-agonists have been used and studied in human medicine for decades. In human medicine, their route to the intended smooth muscle tissue is a direct entry into the cardio-pulmonary system in some of our most vulnerable patients.

Young children inhale beta-agonists directly into their lungs to relax the smooth muscle that is constricting their airways during an asthma attack which leaves them fighting for air. Beta-agonists are life savers.

Pregnant women in premature labor have beta-agonists injected directly into their blood through IVs, to relax the smooth muscle of the uterus to prevent a premature birth. Once again, Beta-agonists are life savers.

If we give them in significant doses to our most vulnerable patients, including young children, pregnant women and their unborn babies, most people would agree then that it is safe to consume meat from animals supplemented with beta-agonists when it is basically undetectable.

As two billion more residents of the planet Earth enter the middle class and seek increasing amounts of protein, we can only supply safe, affordable food through technology. We won’t have more land, water or feed.

I believe that people should be able to have choices when it comes to food. I have no problem with people having food choices such as organic, cage free, antibiotic free, hormone free, etc. If they can afford to pay more for more expensive production methods, more power to them. However, I also believe that we should not reduce the use of safe, proven technologies—this would ultimately result in increasing costs from farm to form, meaning higher priced meat to the consumer and subsequently limit choice for those with a less disposable income.

It is a common myth floating out there in the media that 160 countries have banned the use of beta-agonists in animals raised for food. In fact, the Codex Alimentarius Commission is a joint effort of the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization, two subdivisions of the United Nations. Codex is comprised of over 180 countries, and is charged with establishing, among other things, MRLs for food additives and veterinary drugs.

Last July, the annual Codex meeting voted on MRLs for ractopamine, one of the beta-agonists used to promote heavier, leaner carcasses in animals raised for food. The majority approved the recommendations from the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives. How can we still think there are another 160 countries out there “banning” beta-agonists?

Some countries, such as the European Union and China, do have restrictions on beta-agonists due to prior illegal use of beta-agonists such as clenbuterol, which has a much longer half-life and has caused human illness because of high residues in muscle meats.

But the lack of a registration, or approval of the sales of a drug for use in animals, does not equate to a ban. For many countries, a registration has never been sought, and they have no ban in place. The reason many have not sought registration is simply that they have no animal agriculture industry in place to use such technologies.

U.S. beef and pork were exported to more than 100 countries in 2012 with no restrictions against beta-agonist use.

As a former “top food safety official in the US,” I see no reason, personally, to pay more for food based on how it was raised. I do not fear for my health, nor do I fear for the health of my Grandkids when they come to Granddad’s house for a sleep over and eat the less expensive meats I buy at my mainstream grocery. I feel confident that the FDA has approved this product as safe for humans and safe as a feed ingredient for animals. I’m incredibly proud of the efficient, sustainable and safe food supply that we have here in the United States and I feel incredibly fortunate that we’re able to pay less for our high-quality food than any other country in the world. Personally, I’m thankful that I can use this cost savings to spoil my Grandkids and donate to efforts to find the cure for true health problems, such as Multiple Sclerosis.

 

http://www.southernlivestock.com/articles/feed_and_nutrition/a_perspective_on_betaagonists.9629.sls

Next Tuesday is Rancher's Gathering!!!

Next week is our much anticipated Rancher's Gathering Event. Make sure to RSVP early! There will be good food, great speakers and even better door prizes. 

Another GREAT event to put on the calendar

This is a great event that is promoting healthy cooking with local products!! Make sure to RSVP early!!

Six Ideas for Low-Sugar Drinks

We have been hearing it for years and I believe most consumers would agree, that sugary drink portion sizes have risen dramatically over the past 40 years, and children and adults are drinking more soft drinks than ever.  We are starting to understand that sugary drinks increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and gout.  And next, comes the challenge, actually cutting back on sugary drinks to help us control our weight and improve our overall health.

Plain water is the best calorie-free beverage—and when it comes from the tap, it costs a fraction of a penny per glass. But for some people, plain old water may be just too plain. The Harvard Law for Public Health presented several great ideas for low and no-sugar beverages that you can prepare at home:

You can easily make your own naturally-infused spa water at home. Try adding any of the following to a cold glass or pitcher of water:

• Sliced citrus fruits or zest (lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit)
• Crushed fresh mint or other herbs
• Peeled, sliced fresh ginger or sliced cucumber

Black or green, caffeinated or decaf, leaf or herbal, hot or cold, tea is an excellent choice for a calorie free beverage. Adding a teaspoon of sugar or honey only adds about 15 calories to the cup. Some teas taste sweet to the palate even without adding any sugar: Try fruit-flavored herbal teas (mango, blueberry), or teas that feature cinnamon, vanilla, or other “sweet” spices. Black and green teas are also rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and other biologically active substances that may be good for health.

Sparkling juices that are sold ready-made are often heavy on the juice, and may have almost as many calories as sugary soda pop. Instead, make your own sparkling juice at home with 12 ounces of sparkling water and just an ounce or two of juice. For a flavor twist, add sliced citrus or fresh herbs.

Store-bought or cafe smoothies are marketed as “health” foods, but they are often loaded with sugar and high in calories. Try making a refreshing fresh fruit cooler instead. There’s no added sugar, and just a small amount of fruit, so this drink is only about 18 calories for each 12-ounce glass.

• 1/2 cup of ice
• 3/4 cup of sugar-free sparkling water
• 1/3 cup of melon or berries
• Chopped mint leaves or citrus slices (optional)

Place ice, sparkling water, and fruit in a blender. Blend until slushy, pour into a glass and garnish with mint or citrus slices. Serves 1.

For additional information on rethinking your drink, contact the Extension office at 940/627-3341.

Cattle Trails Wheat and Stocker Cattle Conference

LAWTON, Okla. – Southern Oklahoma and North Texas has experienced a difficult three years of dry conditions.  While no one knows what the environmental conditions hold for the area, agricultural producers continue to plant crops and grow cattle.  New research and technology based on these enduring conditions will be the focus of the Cattle Trails Wheat and Stocker Cattle Conference, a joint effort between Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, to be held August 13 in Lawton, Oklahoma.   

This annual conference provides wheat growers and stocker cattle operators the most up-to-date information on topics that influence profits, said Stan Bevers, AgriLife Extension economist in Vernon, Texas.

The slogan of the conference is “driving your cattle to profits,” although Bevers said the last couple of years have made it tough to generate any profit.

The conference, which alternates between Texas and Oklahoma each year, will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Comanche County Coliseum, 920 South Sheridan, in Lawton. Registration is $25 per person and includes educational materials, a noon meal and refreshments.

The keynote speaker for the event will be Bart Fischer, Chief Economist for U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas from Oklahoma. Lucas is the current House Agriculture Committee Chairman.  It is anticipated that Congress will complete work on the new Farm Bill this fall.  Mr. Fischer will provide valuable insight into what the new Farm Bill will look like and how its impact will influence area wheat producer’s income. 

Two speakers will address new research and technology, he said. Dr. Gerald Horn, Professor with the Department of Animal Science at Oklahoma State University will discuss current results from the Marshall Stocker Cattle program.  Dr. David Worrell, Wheat Breeder and Product Manager for AgriPro/Syngenta at Lockett will provide an update on his wheat breeding program. 

What to do with the stocker cattle prior to wheat being ready and still have the cattle gain will be discussed by Dr. Ted McCollum, Professor and Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Amarillo, Texas.  Further, Stan Bevers, Professor and Extension Economist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension will provide his expectations for the wheat and stocker cattle markets.

Industry sponsors also will have their products on display during the event. For more information on the event, go to http://agrisk.tamu.edu.

Producers are encouraged to pre-register by contacting their local AgriLife Extension county agent, their Oklahoma Cooperative Extension county educator, or by contacting the Southwest Oklahoma Area Extension office at 580-255-0546.