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Banned in the UK and The EU for good reason Trade deals are subject to the laws of the nations involved and can be therefore challenged in their courts Risk of legal action by US to force UK to accept their weak food safety standards In the US there is no such thing as a precautionary stance on any consumer products including food and agriculture. Further, their regulators do not accept that anything other than a 100% assurity of harm, mostly tested in their courts; can justify a product or substance being banned.
Everything brought to market is assumed to be safe, until it is proven beyond all doubt, to be harmful - that is the American standard for health, safety, end environmental approach to business and public health! The chemicals used in beef production that are allowed in the US but banned or heavily restricted in the UK (and the broader EU) primarily involve growth hormones, antibiotics, and chemical washes. These substances have been a point of contention in trade negotiations, especially as part of the UK’s trade deal with the US. Here's a breakdown of the main chemicals that fall into this category: 1. Hormones (Growth Promoting) Hormone-treated beef is a major difference between beef produced in the US and the UK/EU. The US allows the use of several growth hormones to speed up the growth process and increase the weight of cattle: Estradiol (a natural estrogen) Testosterone Progesterone Melengestrol acetate (a synthetic progestin) Trenbolone acetate (a synthetic anabolic steroid) Why banned in the UK/EU: The UK and EU have banned the use of growth hormones in livestock production since 1988 due to concerns about potential links to hormone disruption in humans, particularly around cancer risks. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have raised concerns about the possible effects of hormone residues in meat. While the US asserts that hormone levels in treated beef are safe, the EU maintains a precautionary stance, arguing that the long-term effects are not fully understood. 2. Antibiotics Routine antibiotic use in cattle is common in the US, where antibiotics are used both to treat disease and as a preventive measure (prophylactic use) in crowded feedlots. Some commonly used antibiotics in US beef production include: Tetracyclines Sulfonamides Penicillins Ionophores Why banned in the UK/EU: The UK and EU have stricter regulations regarding the use of antibiotics in livestock farming. In particular, the routine use of antibiotics for growth promotion or as disease preventatives is banned in the EU. The concern here is that overuse of antibiotics in farming contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which poses a significant public health threat. The UK and the EU have adopted a "farm-to-fork" strategy to minimize antibiotic resistance, including reducing unnecessary antibiotic use in agriculture and promoting alternatives like better animal welfare standards and disease prevention measures. 3. Chlorine Wash (Chlorinated Chicken, but sometimes used on beef) Chlorine washing is a common practice in the US to sanitize meat, especially chicken, by rinsing it with a chlorine solution. While beef is less frequently treated this way, some beef producers may use chlorine-based solutions to kill bacteria after slaughter. Why banned in the UK/EU: The UK/EU does not allow the practice of washing meat with chlorine or other chemical disinfectants as a method of ensuring safety, arguing that the focus should be on improving the conditions under which animals are slaughtered and handled rather than using chemical treatments to mask poor hygiene. The EU insists that animal welfare and food safety should be prioritised from farm to table, and that chemicals like chlorine should not be used to compensate for inadequate hygiene practices. 4. Beta-agonists (e.g., Ractopamine) Beta-agonists are drugs used to promote lean muscle growth in cattle, particularly in the US. The most common beta-agonist used in beef production is ractopamine. Why banned in the UK/EU: The EU has a zero tolerance policy on the use of ractopamine and other similar beta-agonists. This is because of concerns about the potential effects on human health, including increased risks of cardiovascular issues, anxiety, and potential effects on the nervous system. Ractopamine has been shown to cause animal welfare issues in pigs and cattle, leading to stress and increased risk of heart failure at high dosages. 5. Pesticide Residues (in Animal Feed) In the US, cattle are often fed corn, grains, and other crops that may have been treated with various pesticides, such as glyphosate (a commonly used herbicide) or other chemical pesticides. Why banned in the UK/EU: Pesticide residues in animal feed are strictly regulated in the UK and the EU. The use of pesticides like glyphosate is subject to much stricter limits, and some pesticide products are banned entirely in the EU due to concerns over their toxicity and long-term environmental impact. The UK/EU also places stringent controls on feed additives and insists on higher standards for the testing of any chemical residues in meat products. 6. Formalin (Carcass Preservation) In some cases, formaldehyde, or its solution formalin, has been used in certain parts of the US for carcass preservation or to treat carcasses for bacterial contamination. Why banned in the UK/EU: Formaldehyde is classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and its use in food production is strictly prohibited in the UK and EU. In Summary: Several chemicals commonly used in the US beef industry are either banned or heavily restricted in the UK/EU due to health, environmental, and animal welfare concerns. These include: Growth hormones (like estradiol, testosterone, etc.) Antibiotics for growth promotion or disease prevention Chlorine washes for sanitizing meat Beta-agonists like ractopamine Pesticide residues in animal feed Formalin for carcass preservation These substances have been banned in the UK and the EU based on a precautionary principle, as well as concerns about their potential long-term impact on human health, animal welfare, and the environment. The use of these chemicals in US beef production has been a significant issue in trade negotiations, as the UK government faces pressure to either maintain or lower standards in order to increase trade with the US. Given that the current UK Government views a wide open Trade Deal with the US as a way of mitigating the harm done by Brexit and the loss of its biggest trade area, and the use of international trade courts; the writing is on the wall for the UK's existing consumer, environmental, and food safety standards! Editors Note: The statements made regarding the use of various chemicals in U.S. beef and their regulation or ban in the UK and EU are based on a combination of scientific research, regulatory guidelines, and industry standards. Below are some key sources that back up the information provided: 1. Growth Hormones (Hormone-treated Beef) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): The USDA allows the use of growth hormones in beef production, under strict regulations regarding the types and dosages of hormones used in cattle. Source: USDA – Hormone Use in Beef European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): The EFSA has conducted various studies on the potential human health risks associated with hormone-treated beef and has concluded that there are concerns regarding hormone disruption and potential carcinogenic risks, which led to the EU’s ban on growth-promoting hormones in cattle. Source: EFSA – Hormones and Growth Promotion World Health Organization (WHO): WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has provided classifications and findings around the potential cancer risks associated with certain synthetic hormones, which is one of the reasons the EU maintains its ban. Source: WHO – IARC Monographs 2. Antibiotics U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The FDA allows the use of antibiotics in the U.S. beef industry for growth promotion, disease prevention, and treatment of illness. While certain antibiotics are banned for use in the food chain, the routine use of others remains legal. Source: FDA – Antibiotic Use in Livestock European Medicines Agency (EMA): The EU has strict regulations governing the use of antibiotics in livestock farming, including a ban on the use of antibiotics for growth promotion. The European Commission has made clear its stance on curbing antibiotic resistance through legislation like the Regulation (EU) 2019/6. Source: EMA – Veterinary Medicines and Antibiotics European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): The EFSA provides annual reports on antimicrobial resistance, and it has advocated for stringent regulations on antibiotic use in farming. Source: EFSA – Antimicrobial Resistance 3. Chlorine Wash (Chlorinated Chicken, and Sometimes Beef) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): In the U.S., the USDA allows the use of chlorine and other antimicrobial agents to wash meat, including beef, to prevent contamination by pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella. Source: USDA – Chlorine in Meat Processing European Commission: The EU maintains a strict ban on the use of chlorine and other chemical washes in meat production, arguing that such practices undermine food safety standards and rely on poor hygiene practices in slaughterhouses. Source: European Commission – Food Safety & Hygiene 4. Beta-agonists (e.g., Ractopamine) U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Ractopamine is approved in the U.S. as a feed additive to promote lean muscle growth in cattle, pigs, and turkeys. Source: FDA – Ractopamine Use in Livestock European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): The EFSA has reviewed the safety of ractopamine and other beta-agonists, concluding that they pose potential risks to both animal welfare and human health, especially regarding the cardiovascular system. As a result, the EU has banned its use in livestock farming. Source: EFSA – Beta-agonists and Ractopamine 5. Pesticide Residues in Animal Feed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): In the U.S., pesticides such as glyphosate are legally used on crops, including corn and soybeans, which are often fed to livestock like cattle. The EPA sets maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticide residues in food. Source: EPA – Pesticides in Food European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): The EU has more stringent regulations on pesticide residues, setting limits for chemicals like glyphosate. The European Commission has also imposed bans on some pesticides that are still in use in the U.S. Source: EFSA – Pesticide Residues in Food 6. Formalin (Carcass Preservation) U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Formaldehyde or its solution, formalin, has historically been used for carcass preservation, although its use is less common today in meat processing. It has been classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Source: FDA – Formaldehyde in Food Processing European Commission: The EU has strict bans on using formaldehyde in food production due to its carcinogenic properties and its potential effects on human health. Source: European Commission – Chemicals in Food Source: As per above editors note See also: Cheaper Food Or Lower Standards - Why the UK's Trade Deal With The US Is Raising Concerns
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Hence their phrase used in their courts and by politicians: 'based on the science'; in order to stop the precautionary principle from negatively affecting big business.