Ractopamine may return in Taiwanese pork

The Department of Health (DOH) in Taiwan plans to relax a ban on ractopamine in livestock to permit low residue levels of the veterinary drug in pigs and cattle.

According to a proposed revision to the DOH's standards for veterinary drug residues, the maximum allowable level of ractopamine residue in pigs and cattle would be 10 ppb in muscle and fat tissue, 40 ppb in the liver, and 90 ppb in the kidneys.

If the proposal meets no objection by Aug. 21, the new standards can be implemented at the end of the month at the earliest, DOH officials said.

Weight gain
Ractopamine, marketed under the brand name Paylean, is a phenolethanolamine s-adrenoceptor agonist that is used for the improvement of weight gain, carcass leanness and feed efficiency in animals.

It is already permitted in 24 countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Source: Central News Agency China

Related websites:
â€¢ Taiwanese Department of Health

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