FDA to revoke pig drug approval over human cancer risk concern
Source: Reuters
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday moved to revoke approval of a drug used to treat certain conditions in pigs because it could leave a cancerous residue that may affect human health.
The drug, carbadox, is made by Teaneck, New Jersey-based Phibro Animal Health and is used to control swine dysentery and bacterial enteritis, the agency said. It has also been used to promote weight gain in pigs.
"Potential cancer risks are based on an assumed lifetime of consuming pork liver or other pork products containing carbadox residues," the agency said in a statement, adding that it is not recommending that people change their food choices while it works to remove the drug from the market.
"Pork is a good source of protein," the agency said. "However, protein can also be found in other meat, poultry, seafood, beans and peas, eggs, processed soy products, nuts and seeds."
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-healthcare-pigs-idUSKCN0X51YG
