What’s the Beef Over Beef? Weighing the Issues

Growth hormones in beef production  Media attention tends to convey biased information about this issue.  People are misinformed.  Here are the facts, you decide.

Hormones 101:  Defined as naturally produced chemicals that exist in all animals.  Growth, development and reproduction are controlled by them

Steroids in cattle? SSSSteroids are hormones HHHHormones in cattle have a similar effect to hormones in humans. TTTThe result….

And That’s No Bull!

Why use hormones?  Faster weight gain in young animals.  Decreased waiting time for slaughter.  Decrease in the amount of feed ingested.  Increased efficiency in energy storage, creating leaner meat.

Hormones approved in Canada  Natural  Estradiol-17ß  Progestrone  Testosterone  Synthetic  Trenbolone acetate (TBA)  Zeranol  Melengestrol acetate (MGA)

Hormone implantation

Estrogenic activityFood (nanograms/lb.of food) Soybean oil 908,000 Cabbage 10,896 Wheat germ 1,816 Peas 1,816 Eggs 15,890 Ice cream 2,724 Milk 59 Beef from a pregnant cow 636 Beef from implanted cattle 10 Beef from non-implanted cattle 7 F.T. McCollum III, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist Table 2. Estrogenic activity of several common foods (adapted from Preston, 1997).

The Issues  Cancer -research is currently incomplete, therefore there is no concrete evidence  Early onset of Puberty -there is speculation that the hormones are contributing factors to breast cancer

International Attention  European Commission has banned the trade of beef with hormones.  To comply with Australian standards for synthetic hormones, carcasses must contain nil detectable residues at slaughter. For naturally-occurring hormones, implant residues also must be zero (AVCA,1986)  In Canada, six hormones are approved for the sole use of the promotion of growth in beef cattle. The Veterinary Drugs Directorate determines safety thresholds and works with the Canada Food Inspection Agency.

“Precautionary Principal means that, in the face of scientific uncertainty, one should proceed with caution. In the case of beef-hormones the precautionary principle should dictate that, in light of worrisome scientific information, these hormone drugs should not be used until further research has ascertained their safety to humans.” - World Trade Organization

Organic Alternatives  The effect of not using hormones: -slower growth, more feed required, smaller carcass  Grass fed beef. 

Weighing The Issue Pros Pros Lean beef Lean beef - satisfies consumers Economics Economics - faster weight gain - less feed required Cons Fattier beef High Premium Prices -for the alternatives Speculated Health risks

You Decide. Any Questions?

Works Cited Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine. (2000). Consumer concerns about hormones in food. Retrieved June 15, 2004 from CureZone.com. (2004). Steroids in beef cattle. Retrieved June 18, 2004, from Devitt, T., Schulte, D., & Tenenbaum, D. (1999). The Why Files. Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin. Retrieved June 15, 2004, from Foreign Agriculture Service. (1999). A primer on beef hormones. Retrieved June 15, 2004, from Health Canada. (2003). For your information: Growth hormones. Retrieved June 15, 2004, from medsvet/growth_hormones_e.html medsvet/growth_hormones_e.htmlhttp:// medsvet/growth_hormones_e.html Straight Goods. (2004). Overview of hormones used in Canada. Retrieved June 15, 2004, from Wyoming School of Ranching. (2004). Cougar valley ranch: Natural grass fed beef. Retrieved June 18, 2004 from