The Food and Drug Administration warned Wednesday that some chicken meat may contain small amounts of the carcinogenic element arsenic. Arsenic, which can in extreme cases cause vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain, has been found in a growth-promoting feed additive called 3-Nitro, or Roxarsone. The additive encourages the chickens to gain weight and helps prevent an intestinal disease called coccidiosis. Michael Taylor, the FDA's deputy commissioner for foods, claimed that the likelihood of illness or side effects related to the ingestion of the carcinogen were “very low” and that the organization found “no imminent public health risk” from eating chicken. A study conducted by the FDA in February that was made public this month found higher than average levels of arsenic in 3-Nitro treated birds. The results, however, still reflect levels lower than the FDA's approved “safe” threshold of 2,000 parts per billion. Despite ongoing controversy over these results, the FDA has not formally banned the use of Roxarsone, an additive that has been used in the production of chicken meat since the 1940s. Still, Pfizer Inc. subsidiary Alpharma has agreed to voluntarily suspend the sales of Roxarsone in the U.S. in attempts to ease the worries of poultry consumers. Pfizer will continue to sell 3-Nitro for 30 days to allow farmers to find an alternative while the drug is being phased out. Although 3-Nitro (Roxarsone) is the most commonly used additive in poultry feed, other similar arsenic-containing drugs such as Nitarsone may still be used. In the announcement made Wednesday, the FDA stressed “that continuing to eat chicken as 3-Nitro is suspended from the market does not pose a health risk.” The National Chicken Council also released a statement saying, “Chicken is safe to eat. The Food & Drug Administration says it is NOT raising any alarms about consumption of chicken.” The group claims that the ingredient is used in “many, but not all” flocks. Poultry meat labeled “certified organic” or “anti-biotic free” has not been found to contain arsenic. BM
