FSA Update on Phenylbutazone, Bute in Horse Meat
In 2012, the FSA identified eight cases where horses tested positive for bute. Five were exported for the food chain. None of the meat was destined for the UK.
Where the meat had been exported to other countries, the relevant food safety authorities were informed. The other three did not enter the food chain. None of the meat had been placed for sale on the UK market.
Horses that have been treated with the drug phenylbutazone or ‘bute’ are not allowed to enter the food chain. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) carries out checks in slaughterhouses to ensure that horses presented for slaughter are fit for human consumption, in the same was as they do for other animals, such as sheep and cattle. The FSA also carries out regular enhanced sampling and testing for phenylbutazone in meat from horses slaughtered in the UK.
During the recent horse meat incident, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland checked for the presence of phenylbutazone and the samples came back negative.
Source: FSA
European News from NetNewsPublisher.com
Category: Agriculture
How many samples were taken? The EU imports horsemeat from Canada and Mexico where the vast majority comes from the U.S. Horses in the U.S. are NOT regulated food animals and bute is as common as aspirin in horse stables. The U.S has NO ‘food’ animal regulations for horses ‘exported’ for slaughter – NONE! No drug history documentation is required or kept by any U.S. regulatory authorities. U.S. vets are typically only required to keep medical histories for two years. It is past time to explain in detail what the testing protocals really are – what is the LTPD? It is unconsionable to test horsemeat the same as any other ‘regulated’ food animal since the vast majority of horse owners have no clue what is and isn’t allowed for food animal production, because they are not raised or kept as food animals. Demand to know the testing protocals, starting with the LTPD. .