1. Hormonal Growth Promoters in Canadian Beef By: Joyce Chan 90% of Canadian farmers use hormonal growth promoters in cattle 2. This learning module will find out if raising cattle in Canada using hormonal growth promoters makes the beef unsafe to eat. 3. 1935 New trade agreements with the United States help boost Canadian beef production. 4. Natural Hormones Synthetic Hormones Progesterone Trenbolone Acetate (TBA) Testosterone Melengestrol Acetate (MGA) Estradiol (Estrogen) Zeranol 5. General Concerns Added hormones as endocrine disruptors Chemical residues in meat Body is sensitive to hormones Small dosages can cause changes in the body Dosage size and effects not directly linked 6. Specific Health Concerns Estrogen from Estradiol as carcinogenic at levels >25 g/mL in blood Zeranol causing early onset of puberty 7. Do not be worried! Reasons why: 1. The CFIA randomly tests all meat, and destroys all with suspected or actual problems. 8. 2. MRL = 0 ng The CFIA sets Maximum Residue Level of synthetic hormones in beef at zero. MRL = Maximum Residue Level ADI = Accepted Daily Intake I gram = 1 Billion nanograms (109 ng) 9. I gram = 1 Million micrograms (106 g) Hormonal Growth Promoter In muscle of Canadian cattle treated with hormones (mg/kg) FDA limit of concentration in muscle (mg/kg) Estrogen 2.2 x 10-6 1.2 x 10-4 Progesterone 4.4 x 10-5 3.0 x 10-4 Testosterone 0.03* 6.4 x 10-4 TBA 0 0.05 Zeranol 0 0.15 MGA 0 MGA not used in the US * Canadian data not available, number reflects American cow 10. 1.2 ng difference 3. The amount of natural hormones in treated beef is much lower than other food products. For testosterone only a 28 ng difference exists between treated and untreated beef. 11. =34 ng 3.8 ng/ steak x 9 steaks 12. 4. The beef contains too little natural hormones to risk cancer 3.8 ng/ steak x 33,000 steaks = Risk Cancer 13. I gram = 1 Billion nanograms (109 ng) 5. The human body contains much higher levels of natural hormones. Compared to non-pregnant woman: 50,000 times less Estrogen 95,000 times less Progesterone 14. Results of ingesting synthetic hormones: Zeranol = 45% Excreted by body Trenbolone = 63% Excreted by body In Canada, synthetic hormone levels in beef = 0 Non-zero levels allowed in the United States 15. Result: Early breast development caused by high Zeranol intake was reversible over eight months by discontinuing consumption of affected poultry. Suggests: Synthetic hormones can be excreted by body, and physiological changes reversible to an extent. 16. Beef from Canadian cattle that have been raised using hormonal growth promoters is safe to eat. 1. CFIA testing 2. Zero synthetic hormones 3. Much lower than other foods considered safe 4. Body breaks down and excretes hormones consumed 5. Levels lower than risking cancer and early puberty 17. Focus: Environmental Impact of run-off from livestock farms 16 million Canadian cows producing 66 million tonnes of hormone-rich manure. Manure of hormone treated cows contains more hormones. 18. The female was exposed to TBA for 21 days. TBA = synthetic hormone Bumps characteristic of breeding males Exposed females also produced fewer eggs. Persistence of hormones in nature Female fathead minnow not exposed to TBA 19. Canadian beef is safe for humans Manure may be harmful to wildlife Thank You for Watching!