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Farm drugs & processing · Ractopamine

Where ractopamine is banned, and why

By · Published · Last checked

Where it stands

drug · Banned in 4 of 8 · Allowed in 3 of 3 in North America

  • European UnionBanned

    Banned in production and imports.

  • United KingdomBanned

    Kept the EU ban.

  • ChinaBanned

    Production and sale banned Dec 2011; zero tolerance for residues.

  • RussiaBanned

    Blocked US meat imports from 2013 over residues.

  • JapanAllowed

    Residues permitted within limits.

  • United StatesAllowed

    Approved for pigs, cattle and turkeys.

  • CanadaAllowed

    Approved. Few farms use it because export markets ban it.

  • MexicoAllowed

    Approved.

Also banned in: Taiwan (domestic use); about 160 countries ban or restrict it

Why is it restricted?

Bans cite drug residues in meat and animal welfare. Codex set an international residue limit in 2012 by a 69–67 vote, with the EU, China and Russia against.

Where is it found?

Pork, beef and turkey from animals fed it. Never on the label.

How do I spot it on a label?

  • not labelled
  • "raised without ractopamine"
  • certified organic

What you can do: You can't see it on a label. Look for "raised without ractopamine" or certified organic, which doesn't allow it.

Quick answers

Is ractopamine allowed in Canada?
Allowed. Approved. Few farms use it because export markets ban it.
Is ractopamine allowed in the United States?
Allowed. Approved for pigs, cattle and turkeys.
Is ractopamine allowed in the European Union?
Banned. Banned in production and imports.
Is ractopamine allowed in Mexico?
Allowed. Approved.

Sources

  1. 20.CBC News: Ractopamine banned in China, permitted in Canada (opens in a new tab)cbc.ca · Secondary: law firm, trade press, major media
  2. 21.Processing Magazine: Russia bans US meat over ractopamine (opens in a new tab)processingmagazine.com · Secondary: law firm, trade press, major media
  3. 22.Pig Progress: China bans ractopamine (2011) (opens in a new tab)pigprogress.net · Secondary: law firm, trade press, major media
  4. 36.Food Safety News: US and Russia spar over ractopamine (Codex vote) (opens in a new tab)foodsafetynews.com · Secondary: law firm, trade press, major media

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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