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Farm drugs & processing · Growth hormones in beef

Where growth hormones in beef are banned, and why

By · Published · Last checked

Where it stands

drug · Banned in 2 of 8 · Allowed in 2 of 3 in North America

  • European UnionBanned

    Directive 96/22/EC, made permanent for oestradiol by 2003/74/EC.

  • United KingdomBanned

    Kept the EU ban.

  • ChinaNot verified

    Not verified in this research pass. Check GB 2760-2024, the national food additive standard.

  • RussiaNot verified

    Not verified in this research pass. Check EAEU technical regulation TR CU 029/2012 on additives.

  • JapanNot verified

    Not verified in this research pass. Check MHLW list of designated food additives.

  • United StatesAllowed

    Approved.

  • CanadaAllowed

    Approved.

  • MexicoNot verified

    Not verified in this research pass. Check the COFEPRIS acuerdo on additives and processing aids.

Also banned in: —

Why is it restricted?

EU scientists concluded oestradiol-17β can cause cancer and found too little data to clear the other five. The WTO ruled against the EU ban; the EU kept it.

Where is it found?

Conventional beef.

How do I spot it on a label?

  • not labelled
  • "no added hormones"
  • certified organic

What you can do: Look for "raised without added hormones" or certified organic beef.

Quick answers

Are growth hormones in beef allowed in Canada?
Allowed. Approved.
Are growth hormones in beef allowed in the United States?
Allowed. Approved.
Are growth hormones in beef allowed in the European Union?
Banned. Directive 96/22/EC, made permanent for oestradiol by 2003/74/EC.

Sources

  1. 25.European Parliament: Directive 2003/74/EC on hormones in stock farming (opens in a new tab)oeil.europarl.europa.eu · Primary: government, court or law

General information, not legal or medical advice. “Banned elsewhere” doesn't automatically mean unsafe: some bans rest on animal welfare, trade or caution. Read the fact checks before sharing a list.

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