FDA withdraws 98 of 101 arsenic-based animal drug approvals

In a letter responding to a petition brought by nine major health and environmental organizations, on September 30, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it will withdraw 98 of 101 approvals given to arsenic-based animal drugs.
This action will remove three of the four arsenic-containing drugs used in the production of poultry and hogs. The FDA's decision comes almost four years after a petition was filed by the Institute for Agriculture Trade and Policy and the Center for Food Safety asking that the agency withdraw its approval of the drugs.
"This move by the FDA is an important validation to the work being done in the health care sector to bring attention to the public and environmental health effects of arsenic-containing food additives in poultry production," said Emma Sirois, co-chair of Health Care Without Harm's Healthy Food in Health Care Program. "As large purchasers of food, hospitals in HCWH's network have been asking their suppliers to identify poultry grown without these drugs - sending a strong signal to the market to change this production practice in support of public health."
Arsenic-based drugs are used in animal agriculture because they speed weight gain and provide enhanced color to poultry meat. A 2006 IATP study showed that 70 percent of U.S.-produced chickens are fed these drugs. In a letter explaining its decision, the FDA cited a recent study, including one by petitioner Center for a Livable Future, that challenged previous assumptions of the safety of these drugs in humans consuming meat of animals raised using them. In particular, concern arose over the ability of organic arsenic to transform into inorganic arsenic, a known carcinogen, in the environment or animal tissue.
The FDA has not yet made a ruling on nitarsone, an arsenic-containing compound that is still being used in poultry products. The petitioners will conduct research on how to proceed. Their ultimate goal is for the FDA to withdraw approvals for all arsenic-based animal drugs.

Maryland may be first state to ban arsenic in chicken feed

Maryland is set to become the first U.S. state to ban the use of additives containing arsenic in chicken feed, joining Canada and the EU who already prohibit the practice, according to reports.
Maryland's House of Delegates and Senate approved the legislation at the beginning of April and placed it before Governor Martin O'Malley on April 9. In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration tested 100 chickens by giving them feed containing the additive roxarsone, an arsenic-based drug used to fight animal parasites. Half the chickens later showed trace amounts of inorganic arsenic in their livers. Arsenic is a known carcinogen, and the finding prompted Pfizer to suspend sales of roxarsone. Perdue Farms stopped using the additive years ago, and McDonald's does not allow its suppliers to use it.
Maryland Delegate Charles J. Otto, who opposes the legislation, said that arsenic occurs naturally and shows up in extremely low amounts in chickens. "It's not an environmental threat or human health threat," said Otto.

Pfizer suspends sales of poultry feed additive 3-Nitro

Alpharma, a subsidiary of Pfizer Inc., has voluntarily suspended U.S. sales of the feed additive 3-Nitro (Roxarsone), after a recent Food and Drug Administration study of 100 broilers detected inorganic arsenic at higher levels in the livers of chickens treated with 3-Nitro compared to untreated chickens.
“The FDA detected increased levels of inorganic arsenic in the livers of chickens treated with 3-Nitro, raising concerns of a very low but completely avoidable exposure to a carcinogen,” said Michael R. Taylor, FDA deputy commissioner for foods. Alpharma’s current plan provides for continued sales of 3-Nitro for 30 days from June 8. According to the company, allowing sales for this period will provide time for Pfizer to work with animal producers to transition to other treatment strategies and will help ensure that animal health and welfare needs are met. In the meantime, Pfizer is working with the FDA to examine further relevant scientific data regarding the use of 3-Nitro in animals, and continues to review the results of the study.
Both the National Chicken Council and the American Feed Industry Association have said they are monitoring the situation with regards to their industries. Poultry producers who have questions should contact Pfizer Veterinary Medical Information Product & Support at +1.800.366.5288.

Maryland state legislature introduces bill to ban arsenic from chicken feed

Maryland Sen. Paul G. Pinsky and delegate Tom Hucker have introduced a bill into the state legislature that would ban arsenic-based drugs commonly used in the feed of commercial poultry operations.
Arsenic is found in chicken feed in the form of roxarsone, which is added to control coccidiosis and promote growth. Those against its use say that arsenic in chicken feed contaminates chicken meat and are concerned about arsenic infiltrating Maryland's groundwater through poultry waste.
Some growers, including Perdue, have stopped using arsenic, but others have fought similar bills, pointing out that arsenic's use has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Maryland considers ban on arsenic in chicken feed additives

Maryland congressional committees are considering a proposed ban on arsenic in chicken feed, according to Capital News Service. Industry members oppose the move, saying it would sicken poultry and put growers on an unlevel playing field with producers in other states.
Maryland’s attorney general, Douglas Gansler, told a senate committee that a ban would be beneficial to the poultry industry and the environment.
But Bill Satterfield, executive director of Delmarva Poultry Industry Inc., said that the feed additive Roxarsone, which contains arsenic, prevents intestinal illness in birds and that a prohibition on its use would cause "a lot more sick birds, a lot more dead birds." Perdue Farms, which says it no longer uses arsenic in its feed, also opposes the ban, saying that it is not supported by science.